POUGHKEEPSIE – City of Poughkeepsie firefighters employed hydraulic tools to free the occupants of a BMW sedan that was involved in a multi-car collision Sunday night in the city.
Shortly after 8 p.m., city 911 received reports of a four-car accident at the intersection of Church Street (Eastbound arterial) and Academy Street. A late-model BMW sedan was one of the vehicles involved and firefighters from Engine 2 and Ladder 2 were forced to use extrication tools to free the passengers from the vehicle that came to a stop facing south on Academy Street in the northbound lane.
Mobile Life Support Services medics responded to the scene and treated several victims for minor injuries. Sources say that at least one victim was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
The City of Poughkeepsie Police were on the scene to investigate the collision that occurred moments before another round of rain began as the area was in a “Tornado Watch.”
As one officer took photographs of the scene, a second officer interviewed witnesses and occupants. One vehicle was impounded by the police. Unofficial reports say that the operator was unlicensed and the registration was invalid.
As heavy rain began to fall, tow trucks including County Wide, Dingee’s Redl’s, and Bobby’s hustled to get the intersection clear as eastbound traffic was reduced to one lane between Market and Academy Streets.
In addition to dealing with the accident and rapidly changing weather, emergency personnel were forced to deal with observers interfering at the scene.