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Updated 54 minutes ago
A two-car wreck closed Route 380 in Bell Township for more than two hours Sunday.
Medical helicopters were called to the scene to transport two people — one who reportedly sustained a traumatic head injury and the other with respiratory issues — to area hospitals following the 4:55 p.m. incident between Muffley Hollow Road and Route 819, Westmoreland County emergency dispatchers said.
Trooper Nicholas Pelc said a compact car driven by a 32-year-old Avonmore man on Route 380 toward Avonmore crossed the centerline and collided head on with a compact car being driven by a 42-year-old Monroeville woman.
The cars started to smoke and flames ignited. Numerous people stopped to try to put the fire out and pull the drivers out of the wreckage, Pelc said. The Good Samaritans got them out and away from the fire. A passing van from an Avonmore company used a pressure washer to extinguish the flames.
Pelc said the two men saved the day.
“Without them, the fire could have gotten into the engine compartment,” he said. “So, yes, they may have saved the victim's lives.”
Chief Steve Master of the Bell Township Volunteer Fire Department said he shook hands with the men. They quietly left while he looked away and he did not get their names.
Master also praised others who helped get the drivers out of the cars.
He called for two helicopters, and they were able to get the people on board and get back in the air before 5:30 p.m.
The victim's conditions were unknown Sunday night.
Pelc said charges are pending in the case that is still under investigation.
Route 380 reopened to traffic at about 7:15 p.m.
Kevin Zwick contributed.
Chuck Biedka is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-226-4711 or cbiedka@tribweb.com.
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