Avalon PA- On Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at approximately 2:35 p.m. Allegheny County 9-1-1 received reports of a vehicle accident with entrapment at 4 Sedalia Avenue in Avalon. Callers reported that a Chevrolet Blazer crashed through a garage coming to rest on the passenger side on a hillside, with an elderly male trapped inside. The following units were dispatched on the initial assignment; Avalon (Station 103), Bellevue (Station 108), Ben Avon (Station 109), Kilbuck (Station 182), Northwest EMS (Station 192) and Avalon Police.

First arriving units confirmed one vehicle on its side, with one male patient entrapped, but conscious and alert. Crews immediately stabilized the vehicle, as there was concern that it would continue to roll over the steep hillside. Rescue technicians worked to remove the windshield from the blazer to gain access to the patient. Within twenty minutes, crews freed the elderly male from the vehicle. The elderly male had a small laceration on his head and complained of a stiff back, however he refused medical treatment. Command requested that Emsworth (Station 148) be dispatched for additional rescue support.

The detached garage sustained extensive damage. Due to the location and position of the vehicle, a large crane was brought to the scene to lift the vehicle off of the hillside, over the garage and onto the roadway above, so that the vehicle could be towed from the scene. The vehicle was finally removed approximately four hours after the incident began.