Jaws of Life in Action: Harpursville Assists Afton with Serious Wreck Entrapment

Harpursville, NY - Firefighters from the Harpursville Fire Department deployed heavy hydraulic rescue tools Sunday afternoon, executing a mutual aid vehicle extrication following a two-car collision with entrapment along St. John Road in the Town of Afton.

On September 20, 2026, Harpursville was dispatched to assist the Afton Fire Department at the scene of a serious multi-vehicle crash where at least one driver was reported pinned inside the wreckage.

Upon arrival, Harpursville crews immediately initiated extrication protocols, stabilizing the compromised vehicle before deploying hydraulic spreaders and cutters to displace crumpled metal and remove structural obstructions. Firefighters successfully freed the trapped operator, transferring the patient to emergency medical personnel on scene.

The driver was transported by ambulance to a regional hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Incident commanders commended the coordinated communication and rapid operational teamwork between responding mutual aid agencies, which ensured a prompt, safe extrication and timely medical delivery.