BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) — A major accident which Palm Beach County Fire Rescue called a level 1 mass casualty incident on the turnpike injured 10 people and shut down the turnpike for several hours late Saturday night.
There were actually two accidents from this incident. There was a rollover accident with a more serious secondary accident 500 yards south of that scene was considered a level 1 mass casualty incident. Luckily, most of the injured patients were considered green, which is the least threatening condition.
The most serious injury was that of a 25-year-old female who was transported as a trauma alert by ground to Delray Medical Center.
The north scene had a total of 4 patients who were transported to local hospitals. The southern scene had a total of 5 transported to local hospitals with 1 patient refusing to be transported.
According to sources, emergency workers used the Northbound lane to access the scene and transport patients out while FHP kept the lane completely closed. The scene was secured from when the first units arrived at 11:28 PM to well after midnight.
BSO Fire Rescue was on scene and assisted in transporting patients to local hospitals as well.
The scene was a chaotic one with a rollover accident and a total of 5 additional vehicles disabled due to flat tires from debris caused by the accidents.
