Motorists injured in four-vehicle Wood River crash

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WOOD RIVER — Emergency personnel from Wood River, East Alton, Roxana and Hartford responded to the intersection of Illinois 3 and Illinois 143 at 9:08 a.m. Thursday for a four-car crash with injuries.

“When we arrived, two vehicles were on fire with a victim trapped,” Wood River Fire Chief Steve Alexander said.  “One of our public works employees, Brady Trask, was the first on scene and tried to contain the fire until our trucks arrived. Brady has been a medic and was also the Wood River dispatcher for many years.”

In a press release Friday morning, Wood River Deputy Chief Daniel Bunt said a pickup truck was on its side and on fire when officers arrived. Bystanders assisted officers in controlling the fire and moving another vehicle in an attempt to reach the truck's occupant.

"We would like to thank all of the motorists and witnesses who assisted our personnel at the scene," Bunt said. "Without their assistance the results would have probably been much worse." 

The truck driver was trapped for nearly 30 minutes before being extricated and loaded up for transport. ARCH helicopter was called on scene to transport the Troy, Ill., man to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.  

Two drivers were transported to OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton and one driver was transported to Alton Memorial and later flown to Barnes. The accident is still under investigation.

It is unknown at this time where the other crash victims are from. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

In a press release Friday morning, Wood River Deputy Chief Daniel Bunt said bystanders assisted officers in controlling the fire and moving another vehicle in an attempt to reach the truck's occupant.

"We would like to thank all of the motorists and witnesses who assisted our personnel at the scene," Bunt said. "Without their assistance the results would have probably been much worse."