Thursday January, 9 2014 @ 07:40:52

Nature: Vehicle Accident BLS

Location: American Legion (80)

Address: 31706 Legion Rd Millsboro, DE 19966

On Thursday, January 9^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a vehicle accident in the vicinity of John J. Williams Highway and Legion Road.  It was reported to be a single car vehicle with entrapment involving commercial propane storage tanks at the American Legion Post #28.

Emergency response units included Rescue 80 and Engine #80-1 from the Oak Orchard facility and Engine #80-5 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police, the Sussex County Paramedics, the Delaware State Police, and the local emergency medical services provider.

Emergency response crew assignments included to mitigate the active propane leak, set-up and establish a master stream operation to deactivate and disperse the propane, prepare for vehicle extrication, secure and evacuate the residential perimeter due to the propane leak, and coordinate the roadway closure of American Legion Road.  Specific apparatus assignments include Rescue 80 to evaluate and identify situation, Engine #80-5 to initiate a hydrant water supply and master stream operation; Engine #80-3 was assigned to coordinate the hydrant operations.  The vehicle extrication was also coordinated via Engine #80-5.

It appears that a dark green Ford Crown Victoria was traveling eastbound on John J. Williams Highway between Oak Orchard Road and Legion Road and apparently left the roadway for an undetermined reason.  The vehicle traveled through the grassy area striking some property signage and large commercial sized liquid propane causing an active propane leak.  The propane tanks were two 1,000 gallon tanks with one being completely dislodged.  The vehicle continued traveling east through some residential fencing and striking a residential garage.  The occupant of the vehicle was trapped inside the vehicle as a result of the collision.

The Delaware State Police requested the assistance of the fatal accident reconstruction team and are investigating.  The Delaware Department of Transportation was requested to provide an evaluation for arrow boards and sand due to the hydrant operations.  The Delaware Medical Examiner’s Office was requested to respond.

The Legion Road was closed to through traffic for the duration of the incident.  It appears that the American Legion may have operational difficulties based upon the dislodged propane tanks.

Additional information may be obtained by viewing the following websites:

1.  WGMD Radio 92.7 – www.wgmd.com

http://wgmd.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=51&post_id=87471

UPDATE: American Legion Post 28 Closed Due to Car Crashing Into Propane Tank

UPDATE: American Legion Post 28 Closed Due to Car Crashing Into Propane Tank

UPDATED: 1PM - The investigation continues into a crash this morning that shut down Route 24 after a propane tank was dislodged behind the American Legion Post 28 causing an evacuation of nearby homes. State Police say a car driven by 91 year old Norman Davis left Route 24, crossed an open field and struck a 1000 gallon propane tank behind the legion – that tank dislodged and struck a second 1000 gallon tank. The car then stopped after hitting a fence and shed. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene – officials are trying to determine if a medical condition contributed to the crash.

Post 28 will remain closed for the rest of today and will reopen on Friday.

 Jan 09, 2014 -- 10:10am

WGMD News has learned that American Legion Post 28 in Oak Orchard will be closed for the rest of today.

The Post was among buildings and homes in the area that was evacuated after a car crashed into a propane tank behind the building around 7:35 this morning. The tank did start leaking, and Legion Road was closed at Route 24. Delaware State Police are still investigating the crash, and Indian River firefighters were working to stop the propane leak.

Post 28 will reopen at 10 o'clock Friday morning.

1. WDEL 105.9 FM – www.delaware1059.com

http://www.delaware1059.com/story.php?id=6311

Thursday, January 9, 2014 - 9:46am
UPDATED: Driver Dead After Car Hits Propane Tank in Oak Orchard

By Kelli Steele

UPDATED STORY: Delaware State Police say the driver of a car that crashed into a propane tank in Oak Orchard this morning was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash occurred around 7:40 a.m. behind the American Legion Post #28 on Legion Road off of Route 24; the impact of the crash caused a leak in the propane tank and nearby residents were evacuated from the area for a short time.

Police have NOT yet released the identity of the man who died in the crash; it is NOT known if he suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash.
 

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UPDATED STORY: Delaware State Police are currently on the scene of a serious motor vehicle crash behind the American Legion Post #28 off Route 24 in Oak Orchard in which a vehicle struck a propane tank.

Legion Road is currently closed at Route 24 as fire crews work to contain the propane leak.

Evacuations have been made in the immediate area.

Information regarding this incident will be released at a later time.
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ORIGINAL STORY: Firemen from Indian River and EMS personnel are currently on the scene of a car crash near the American Legion Post #28 on Route 24 in Oak Orchard.

The crash happened about 7:40 a.m. and reportedly involves a car that crashed into a propane tank.

Indian River firemen say the tank is leaking.

 (3) News Journal – www.delawareonline.com

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20140109/NEWS15/301090071/Police-identify-91-year-old-man-killed-crash

Police identify 91-year-old man killed in crash

A 91-year-old man was killed this morning when his car ran off the road near Oak Orchard and plowed into a 1,000-gallon stationary propane tank, closing the road for about 90 minutes, police said.

The victim was identified as Norman B. Davis, of Millsboro, said Master Cpl. Gary Fournier.

The single-vehicle crash occurred about 7:35 a.m. behind the American Legion Post #28 at 31768 Legion Road, off John J. Williams Highway (Del. 24).

Fournier said Davis was operating a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria and traveling east on John J. Williams Highway when for an unknown reason his car ran off the south side of the road, veered across an open field for 1,362 feet and hit the 1,000-gallon propane tank behind the American Legion Post.

The impact of the collision dislodged the tank which then struck an adjacent tank that remained in place.

The car continued east and stopped after hitting a fence and a shed.

Davis, who was wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene, Fournier said.

Firefighters from Indian River Fire Company worked to quickly contain the propane leak by deactivating and dispersing the propane.

Nearby residences were evacuated as a precaution.

Troopers are investigating whether Davis may have experienced a medical emergency that contributed to the crash.

His body was turned over to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

Legion Road was closed for 90 minutes while troopers and emergency crews investigated and cleared the wreckage, Fournier said.

(4) Cape Gazette Newspaper

http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/route-24-crash-closes-american-legion/110354 

Route 24 crash closes American Legion

By Melissa Steele | Jan 09, 2014

American Legion Post 28 on Route 24 near Millsboro is closed until 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, after a car ran off the road and crashed into two above-ground propane tanks Jan. 9.

The driver has been identified as Norman B. Davis, 91, of Millsboro, who died at the scene. The car was traveling eastbound on Route 24 when it ran off the road, crossed the American Legion property and knocked into two above-ground propane tanks at the rear of the facility. The car then crashed into a neighboring fence and shed, said Bud Bonte, maintenance supervisor for the Legion.

Propane gas escaping from the tanks caused odor, forcing closure of the post until Friday, officials said.