4 injured in Paint Rock accident
PAINT ROCK — Four persons were injured in a two-vehicle accident on State Hwy. 456 here Monday afternoon, though the injuries weren’t as severe as initially feared.
The accident occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. Monday at Paint Rock Road’s intersection with Tunnel Hill Road, near the Paint Rock Volunteer Fire Department, involving a Chevy S-10 pickup and a Chevy Cavalier sedan.
Traffic was stopped on Paint Rock Road in both directions for approximately one hour as rescue workers treated and prepared victims for transport to St. Mary’s Medical Center of Scott County. One of the victims was trapped in the wreckage for nearly 45 minutes, requiring the efforts of the Scott County Rescue Squad to extricate her.
Additional information about the accident was not available from the Tennessee Highway Patrol as of the Independent Herald’s Tuesday morning press deadline. However, witnesses said that four victims were injured in the crash, at least one of which was initially unresponsive. Lifestar was initially requested to be en route to St. Mary’s, but was unable to fly due to inclement weather conditions in the Knoxville area.
Responding to the scene of the accident were several units from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, Paint Rock Volunteer Fire Department, Scott County EMS and Scott County Rescue Squad. An off-duty police officer and off-duty paramedic who happened upon the scene moments after the accident occurred assisted as well.
The accident was being investigated by Sgt. Ron McDonald of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.