Three
people were injured, one of them critically, in a fiery crash that left
a box truck on its side and a driver trapped in wreckage at the busy
intersection of Del. 1 and Del. 273 just before the start of Thursday
evening rush hour.
A crash reported at 3:36 p.m. Thursday
prompted state police to warn drivers to avoid the New Castle-area
intersection, but massive traffic backups were reported to stretch
nearly a mile on Christiana Road and the Christiana Bypass.
The
male driver of the car remained trapped until emergency crews freed him
by cutting away the vehicle's doors and roof, said Christiana Fire
Company Fire Chief Richard J. Perillo.
The 76-year-old
man was treated on scene for an upper extremity injury and possible
internal injuries, said New Castle County Paramedic Cpl. Abigail E.
Haas. He then was transported with advanced life support assistance to
Christiana Hospital, Perillo said. He was in critical condition Thursday
night, Haas said.
A female passenger in the car was also
transported to the same hospital by basic life support services with
non life-threatening injuries, Haas said.
The truck driver declined treatment, Haas added.
Christiana Fire Company was assisted in the rescue effort by crews from Minquas of Newport Fire Company, Perillo said.
A
Department of Transportation hazardous materials team also has been
called to the crash site to deal with a diesel fuel spill, according to
dispatch reports.
DNREC officials and a hazardous
materials team from Belvedere Fire Company assisted with a large spill
of fuel and oil from the overturned box truck, Perillo said.
Only
one lane of eastbound Del. 273 remained open shortly after the crash,
reported at 3:36 p.m. Thursday, Delaware State Police Master Cpl.
Jeffrey R. Hale said. The crash scene has since been cleared, according
to Delaware Department of Transportation live traffic reports.
With
police in the preliminary stages of investigating the crash, Hale said
more information will be released when the investigation is completed.