Motorcycle accident on Rt. 3 leads to closure | News, Sports, Jobs

A LifeNet helicopter lands on State Route 3 near the Second Pond Boat Launch on Friday to transport a motorcyclist who was involved in an accident. (Provided photo – Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department)

SARANAC LAKE – A motorcycle accident near the Second Pond boat ramp on State Route 3 prompted a major emergency response Friday afternoon, closing the main artery between Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake so a helicopter could land on the road and transport the injured motorcyclist to a hospital.

According to Rick Yorkey, chief of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, the accident occurred around 1:10 p.m. Firefighters closed the road at both ends while state police took measurements to investigate the accident scene. State Route 3 was reopened at 5:52 p.m.

Initial reports spoke of a head injury to the driver and the accident was described as follows: “serious” over the police radio. The fire department and state police were unable to verify this information at the time of going to press.

At the time of going to press, there was no information about the condition of the driver, who could not be identified by the police and fire department.

The SLVFD responded with one patrol car and six firefighters. Firefighters assisted State Police with traffic control and secured a landing pad for a LifeNet helicopter near the bridge.

Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake firefighters closed State Route 3 in their respective towns. The Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department stationed three members at the intersection of State Route 3 and 30 and two at the intersection of State Route 3 and County Route 45, Panther Mountain Road.

Traffic was diverted to a less busy route through Fish Creek. Shortly thereafter, an accident was reported on State Route 30 near Follensby Clear Pond in the Fish Creek area. The TLVFD and Tupper Lake Volunteer Rescue and Emergency Services responded to this accident.

TLVFD Chief Royce Cole said a FedEx delivery truck driver swerved to avoid a deer in the road and the delivery truck flipped on its side and landed in a ditch. There were no injuries, Cole said. TLVFD responded with five members and two others from the department's Santa Clara substation.

Shortly thereafter, a two-car accident was also reported at the corner of St. Bernard Street and River Street. The Lake Placid Volunteer Emergency Medical Services was responsible for this accident.

During this time, the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad also responded to a medical emergency call at Paul Smith's College.

The Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department had eight members on standby at the Lake Placid station to assist Saranac Lake EMS if needed due to a high volume of calls Friday afternoon. Lake Placid firefighters said they began providing mutual aid at 1:51 p.m. and were back on the scene at 3:07 p.m.