Illinois State Police and firefighter/paramedics from Palatine, Arlington Heights, and Rolling Meadows responded about 7:20 p.m. Friday October 18, 2019 to a report of a serious crash with entrapment and possible ejection on northbound Route 53 near Rand Road.
The first fire crew on arrival reported multiple vehicles involved, some with “heavy, heavy” damage and a semi-trailer truck involved. Palatine fire command immediately shut down northbound traffic on Route 53 and diverted the traffic to the Rand Road exit ramp.
Arlington Heights Engine 2’s crew pulled a hose line as a precaution, but there was no extrication needed at the scene. By 7:33 p.m. firefighters were aware of two injured patients and three medical refusals. A third ambulance as dispatched at 7:33 p.m. — a Rolling Meadows ambulance was assigned. Ultimately there were 10 medical refusals by 7:35 p.m. Two patients were prepared for transportation by about 7:35 p.m.
Firefighter/paramedics started clearing the scene by about 8:10 p.m. but Illinois State Police troopers remained on the scene.
Two witnesses at the first crash on Route 53 reported the truck appeared to be weaving back and forth as if in attempt to possibly slow down because of an apparent brake failure. One witness said that next he heard multiple collisions behind him as he was also northbound, but ahead of the semi-trailer truck. Traffic travels at a slight incline while approaching the bridge over Rand Road.
Two additional crashes occurred in the area after the first crash — both occurred about 8:15 p.m. Another crash occurred on northbound Route 53 just north of Palatine Road, and a head-on crash occurred on the Route 53 Frontage Road just north of Rand Road. One person was injured at each crash. One patient each was transported from the second and third crash.
The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.
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