Just after 8pm Friday night, Exeter Township Fire crews were dispatched to assist the Cumru Township Fire Department with an accident on the Rt. 422 bypass westbound. Reports indicated a vehicle struck the center median and left the roadway at the third Schuykill River bridge and was on fire along the river.

Chief 25 arrived on location and confirmed the report and had Rescue-Engine 25 go into service with a handline from the top of the bridge. Captain 42 arrived and assumed command. While trying to find the best access to the incident below the bridge, Exeter crews descended a steep embankment at the start of the bridge and lowered a handline over the bridge from Rt. 422 to control the fire.

With patient access and egress being a challenge, Tower 25 and Ladder 64 were requested to perform a high angle stokes basket rescue for the victim. Crews worked together to put into service a hauling system to extricate the patient into the care of EMS at the top of the river bridge.

Over 20 Exeter members responded to the scene with Rescue-Engine 25, Engine-Tanker 25, Tower 25, Marine 25, Utility 25, and Brush 25 (stand by).