SLINGERLANDS, NY — Three people were injured in a head-on collision on Route 85 on Friday evening.
The Slingerlands and North Bethlehem fire departments were dispatched at approximately 5:15 p.m. to a reported vehicle accident at New Scotland Road and Mahar Road, later determined to be on Route 85 between Blessing Road and the New York State Thruway.
The first arriving officer confirmed a two-vehicle head-on collision with three patients requiring extrication from both vehicles.
Multiple fire department units responded to the scene within minutes of the initial dispatch.
The Westmere Fire Department was requested to provide a second heavy rescue unit.
Route 85 was shut down to all traffic by fire police and New York State Troopers.
Extrication operations included vehicle stabilization and removing and cutting doors from both vehicles to gain access to the patients.
Fire department crews provided fire protection and spill mitigation.
Three patients were transported to local hospitals by Delmar Bethlehem EMS and Albany County ambulances.
The New York State Department of Transportation was requested to take over road closure duties while Bethlehem police and the Albany County Sheriff’s Office conducted accident scene reconstruction.
Route 85 remained closed for approximately 4.5 hours.
