At approximately 3:04 PM today, the City of Van Fire Department, Van Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and Christus EMS responded to a major accident on Interstate 20 at the Eastbound 539 Mile Marker. The incident resulted in the deployment of emergency personnel to provide assistance and address the situation.
The accident involved a single vehicle, and one victim was trapped inside. The Fire Department swiftly initiated a rescue operation utilizing their specialized Hurst eDraulics rescue tools, commonly known as the "Jaws of Life." Despite the challenging circumstances, the victim remained conscious and communicated with the firefighters as they worked diligently to free him from the wreckage.
Following the successful extrication, the injured individual was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment of their injuries. Due to the severity of the incident, the victim was flown to the hospital by Flight for Life, ensuring swift access to medical care.
Tragically, the victim's loyal service dog did not survive the crash. Authorities at the scene handled the pet's remains with care, arranging for it to be taken to a local funeral home to await further contact with the victim's family. The loss of the service dog adds an emotional layer to an already difficult situation.
The accident resulted in significant traffic delays on Interstate 20 Eastbound.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident to determine the factors that led to this incident. Additional details regarding the victim's condition and any updates on the investigation will be provided as they become available.
As a reminder, please exercise caution and patience while traveling through the area and comply with instructions from law enforcement officers and emergency personnel.
