indian falls

A two-car accident with at least one injury is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 400.3. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with Mercy EMS. The location is east of exit 77 before the turnaround.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: Traffic is stopped in the right-hand westbound land and is backing up. There's heavy damage to a sedan involed in the accident. A responder's vehicle was sideswiped, damage not yet determined, by an eastbound Chevy green Silverado, but he is able to continue to the scene.

UPDATE 12:07: There may possibly be a language barrier between the responders and an injured person.

UPDATE 12:52: The firefighters are back in service. The responder whose vehicle was sideswiped says there's no damage to his vehicle, but he noticed when the Silverado went passed that it had a broken side mirror.

A grass fire is burning out of control and approaching a structure at 8959 S. Lake Road in Pembroke. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. The location is between Scribner and Cohocton roads.

UPDATE 3:23 p.m.: The fire is now under control.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: The fire is out. All fire units are back in service.

A car fire is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 400. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 7:07 p.m.: A responder on scene reports "nothing showing."

UPDATE 7:09 p.m.: It appears to be a blown engine, not a fire. All units back in service.

A one-car accident is reported on the Thruway at the 48A westbound on ramp. An occupant is complaining of unknown injuries. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m.: A responder on scene says the car has heavy damage and is now in the woods after rolling over numerous times. Responders will have to go eastbound and take the Route 77 overpass to get to the location.

UPDATE 7:16 p.m.: There is one occupant, who was out of the vehicle -- walking, conscious and alert -- when medics arrived. He will be boarded and collared as per protocol and taken to a local hospital. State Troopers are also on scene.

UPDATE 7:29 p.m.: Pembroke and Indians Falls are back in service.

Heavy smoke is spewing from the chimney of a church in Pembroke that has been converted into a house, according to a Pembroke firefighter on scene. The location is 690 Main Road on the corner of Lake Road. It looks like it's confined to the chimney. Corfu and Darien are also responding.

UPDATE 5:29 p.m.: The address is determined to be 8576 North Lake Road. Indian Falls is responding, too. All incoming units are to stage at Pembroke Engine 85, which is in a driveway across the street.

UPDATE 5:32 p.m.: They are trying to contact the homeowner regarding entry to the house but "have not heard back."

UPDATE 5:34 p.m.: An unlocked door has been located on the north side of the structure. Interior firefighters are going to enter "to see what we can see." A firefighter warns that dogs can be heard barking inside. Akron is on scene. They are putting up ladder(s) on the roof.

UPDATE 5:37 p.m.: Two dogs are seen locked in the basement along with a cat. There's no smoke. The furnace is on. The cat is running around. They'll need to gain front entry to get to the basement. They have not been able to contact the occupants. Animal control is not available, according to dispatch. A code enforcement officer is called. There are multiple renovations under way. They are putting up a light tower and taking statements from people at the scene.

UPDATE 5:43 p.m.: They are going to contact the owner of the building, who lives in Indian Falls. The interior crew has reached the stove in the center of the building and they have knocked the fire down, now checking for extentions. Firefighters have to be careful inside as there are places where flooring is missing and there are open beams.

UPDATE 5:45 p.m.: They are shutting off the gas to the stove, which was "jerry-rigged," according to a firefighter. National Fuel has been contacted.

UPDATE 5:52 p.m.: One of the occupants has been located at the Union Hotel and firefighters are speaking with him. They are getting into the basement. They are all set with manpower and will begin releasing some of the responders.

UPDATE 5:55 p.m.: The Town of Pembroke's building inspector is going to be contacted. "It's definately needed," says the firefighter making the request. The female occupant is heading to the scene.

UPDATE 6:03 p.m.: "You can disregard contacting the building inspector. We're on the phone with zoning now." Once the occupant arrives, she can "take care of the dogs so we can get in there."

UPDATE 6:10 p.m.: A zoning officer is on scene.

UPDATE 6:14 p.m.: Corfu units are leaving the scene, in service. A National Fuel rep is on site.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: Darien is back in quarters. The zoning officer has been provided the appropriate paperwork from the fire chief and there will be no further use of the chimney allowed at the residence until proper repairs are made and there is a re-inspection.

A three-car accident with minor injuries is reported at 8091 Alleghany Road (Route 77) in Pembroke. It is blocking traffic. The location is between Indians Falls and Akron roads. Law enforcement on scene says the roads are icy and vehicles should use caution on approach.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy EMS are responding.

The driver of the vehicle which allegedly caused the accident left the scene. It's a red pickup with out-of-state plates, hauling a small U-Haul trailer.

UPDATE 4:57 p.m.: Law enforcement has stopped the red truck.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: Mercy medics are cancelled. There are five "sign-offs" -- people who don't want or need medical treatment.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls units are back in service.

A car-into-pole accident is reported at 8295 Marble Road, north of Gabbey Road, in Pembroke. The driver is being pulled from the vehicle. There is heavy damage to it. Wires are down. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy EMS are responding. There is a power outage now in the vicinity.

UPDATE 7:14 p.m.: There are also telephone wires down and a transformer is involved. Traffic will be blocked at Marble and Akron roads. The driver is out of the vehicle and walking around.

UPDATE 7:24 p.m.: National Grid has been notified. The driver is a male female.

UPDATE 7:45 p.m.: The roadway at Marble and Akron roads is reopened. Pembroke and Indian Falls are back in service.

UPDATE 8:22 p.m.: National Grid is on scene.

A beautiful clear morning -- hard to believe it was 21 degrees at 9 a.m. when I headed out for a bit of a drive to see what sort of pictures I might be able to take.

Above, a barn on Indian Falls Road just west of North Pembroke Road.

Barn at the intersection of Indian Falls Road and Little Indian Falls Road.

A tree in a field off Phelps Road.

A barn on Gorton Road, taken from Phelps Road.

I need somebody to ID this plant for me, please.

Telephone pole on Pratt Road.

A two-car accident is reported in front of Kutter's Cheese Store, 857 Main Road, in Corfu. The westbound lane is blocked. There is a lot of debris and heavy damage, according to a Sheriff's deputy on scene. Injuries are believed to be minor. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 10:59 a.m.: Darien ambulance is also requested. There are two victims. One is out and walking around. The other is a 75-year-old female, who is still inside a vehicle.

UPDATE 11:44 a.m.: Darien ambulance transported one patient to UMMC.

A two-car collision with injuries is reported at South Lake Road and Cohocton Road. There is possible entrapment in one vehicle. Mercy Flight #5 is put on standby. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments along with Mercy EMS are dispatched. Akron fire is responding to the scene since their extrication tools may be needed.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: A responder at the scene says everyone is out of the vehicles. Akron's response and Mercy Flight are cancelled.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: Pembroke command requests a second ambulance (which will be provided by Darien). One car rolled over into a ditch. There are two people injured.

UPDATE 1:59 p.m.: One patient is being transported to UMMC and another is being taken to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Williamsville.

UPDATE 2:20 p.m.: The Pembroke and Indian Falls assignment is back in service.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at Route 77, north of Gabbey Road. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. A pickup truck is reportedly tipped over on its side.

The roadway is super slick. Route 77 is being shut down due to icy conditions at Indian Falls / Gabbey roads. The county Highway Department is aware of the road condition and will have a crew there within the hour.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: Mercy medics were called but cancelled since no one involved is injured.

A tractor-trailer vs. car accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 403.0. It's right on the county line. Mercy Flight is on standby. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments, along with Mercy EMS, are dispatched. Unknown injuries.

UPDATE 6:06 p.m.: Dispatch spoke with the driver of the car who said injuries, if any, are minor. The car is in the median. The big rig is sitting sideways about a three-quarters of a mile east of the car, according to a responder.

UPDATE 6:12 p.m.: Mercy Flight is put back in service. A third vehicle is involved and it's on the shoulder of the roadway near the other car.

UPDATE 6:14 p.m.: A responder says it looks like five vehicles, plus the tractor-trailer, were involved in this accident. State Troopers are on scene.

UPDATE 6:22 p.m.: "We have medics up here, where are all the victims?" asks a responder. One person is boarded and collared, one is a sign off, and one other is inside a medic vehicle. Traffic is said to be backed up about three miles. They are going to try to corral the traffic into one lane so it can begin moving again.

One car is off the road and has hit a pole in the area of 8285 Alleghany Road, Indian Falls.

The driver is out of the car and on his feet, but has a head injury and other cuts.

Indian Falls fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE: While I was away from the computer, Mercy Flight was dispatched to this call. The scene is clear now.

We don't have the location or time of call, but there is a grass fire in Indian Falls Alabama, on Tesnow Road.

Indian Falls, Pembroke and Alabama fire departments are on scene.

There was concern about power lines in the area and National Grid is on scene. The fire is apparently mostly knocked down at this time.

UPDATE 10:04 a.m.: Water is being shut down as a safety precaution because electrical lines just dropped on the ground.

UPDATE 10:07 a.m.: Water is flowing again.

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: Fire is actually at 369 Wright Road. It's a former U.S. National Gypsum facility, and after that Stylecraft built manufactured homes at the location. It's currently owned by Bill Eberhardt. A large pile of old railroad ties caught on fire. The fire was reported by the pilot of a private airplane. Alabama Chief Gary Patnode said the ties are from a railroad line torn out 25 years ago. He said the property owner told him he's had trouble with trespassers recently, particularly young ATV riders. Deputy Ron Meides said his report will say that a controlled burn -- there's a large section of the property that is being cleared of brush -- ignited the railroad ties. Mutual aid provided Indian Falls, Pembroke and Akron, with East Pembroke filling in at Indian Falls and Shelby filling in at Alabama. (I have one picture to post, but a weak internet signal at my current location ... will add photo to this post later.)

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Alabama Fire is back on scene to deal with some sort of flare up.

UPDATE 11:58 p.m.: Alabama units back in quarters.

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A pickup has hit a pole near Akron Road on Route 77, Indian Falls, and power lines are reportedly down and arcing.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments dispatched.

Route 77 is being closed.

UPDATE 9:16 p.m.: It sounds like the driver ran down Phelps Road toward the trailer park.

UPDATE 9:30 p.m.:  A witness reports that somebody said there were two people in the vehicle and one of them is lying in the weeds. Because of the live wires, firefighters are unable to approach the vehicle. National Grid will be on scene soon to shut down power and responders can investigate.

UPDATE 9:38 a.m.: National Grid on scene. The immediate area of Indian Falls is about to lose all power.

UPDATE 9:40 p.m.: Power in the area has been cut. Emergency responders checking around the houses and in the tall weeds. A resident on Akron Road reported seeing a person with bare feet apparently fleeing the scene.

UPDATE 9:45 p.m.: As soon as National Grid moves the lines out of the road, Route 77 will be reopened.

UPDATE 9:48 p.m.: National Grid's website says power will be out until 11:30 p.m. State Department of Transportion requested to the scene. Chief reports, "We've got some pretty nasty holes down here."

UPDATE 9:51 p.m.: A DOT rep not expected on scene for at least an hour. He will check the roadway damage and determine whether repairs can wait until the morning.

UPDATE 10 p.m.; Indian Falls and Pembroke about to go back in service. No word on either subject reportedly in the vehicle.

UPDATE 10:03 p.m.: Mercy EMS put back in service.

A caller reports that several cars are parked along Waddington Road, on the south side of the Tonawanda Creek at Indian Falls.

The caller reports that anyone who got out of those cars and went to the falls, would've had to cross posted private property to get there.

A deputy has been dispatched to the area.

While that portion of the Tonawanda is county property, most of the area around the falls is private property, except for an entryway to the creek east of the falls at Route 77.

Last week, a 17-year-old girl was seriously injured when she fell on some rocks while swimming and diving at the falls.

A fire is reported in the bathroom of a home on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, located at 393 Bloomingdale Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Indian Falls.

UPDATE 12:39: The address was incorrect. It is 493 Bloomingdale Road, located off the roadway between Martin and Parker roads.

UPDATE 12:47 p.m.: The fire is out. An ambulance is requested to the scene for a victim of smoke inhalation.

UPDATE 12:53 p.m.: The chief says the fire was likely sparked by a faulty electrical outlet.

UPDATE 12:58 p.m.: The Alabama and Indian Falls units are back in service.

One of Batavia High's standout students was among a group of heroes Friday who came to the rescue of a teenage girl who hit her head on a rock when she fell several feet from a cliff at Indian Falls.

The girl, Kourtney McCorry, 17, of Spencerport, was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight, but was conscious and alert after being pulled from the water.

Deputy Timothy Wescott said he was able to interview McCorry at the scene before she was transported and she was aware of her surroundings, recognized her father and understood what was happening.

She remembered, according to Wescott, climbing up the cliff of the falls with the help of her boyfriend. She grabbed the branch of a tree and the branch gave way. She fell and remembers seeing rocks below her and then she blacked out.

"She said she didn't know if she blacked out because she hit the rocks or out of fear of what might happen to her," Wescott said.

Evan Sutherland, a Batavia High School basketball player and member of the championship mock trial team, was at the falls with his friend, Andrew Hoy, a recent graduate of BHS and the Blue Devil's all-time leading scorer in basketball.  

Sutherland (left inset photo from one of his mock trial appearances this year) was the first to dive in the water to try and rescue the girl, Hoy said.

"I had just walked up and I got to like the edge of the cliff and saw her falling and she landed head first on the rocks," Hoy said. "It looked like her neck snapped. Then she went under for a few seconds and we couldn’t find her. We were still standing at the top and then she floated to the top of the water and my friend Evan Sutherland was the first one to react and he jumped into the water and there was another one of her friends over from where she fell from and he jumped in, too. They both dragged her out."

Hoy said the girl regained consciousness while she was still in the water, and Westcott said McCorry remembered coming to in the water surrounded by people.

The Batavian tried to interview Sutherland at the scene, but one of the Log Cabin's unruly patrons interfered with the interview and told him not to talk to the media.

Attempts to contact Sutherland Friday night were unsuccessful.

The legendary Log Cabin Restaurant, which includes a bar, is next to the falls and while the rescue was under way, the owner sent a representative to talk to journalists at the scene from The Batavian and the Daily News with a request that media outlets not report that the kids who swim and dive at the falls might enter the falls from the Log Cabin's property.

It's unknown how McCorry, Hoy and Sutherland, among the other youths enjoying the falls Friday, entered the area. 

The section of the Tonawanda Creek in the area of Indian Falls is owned by Genesee County and people can enter the area from near Route 77 without trespassing on private property. 

The volunteer fire departments of Indian Falls and Pembroke were the first emergency responders on scene.

Indian Falls and Pembroke volunteers set up a rope line across the creek and walked through the water to the north bank.

The Genesee County Rope Team -- made up of more than 20 volunteers from all of the county's volunteer fire departments -- responded to the scene along with Genesee County Emergency Services.

The team found a clearing in the brush along the creek's cliff on the north side and lowered a stretcher down to McCorry's location. Medical personnel were then lowered down.

It took more than 90 minutes to stabilize McCorry and slowly lift her to the top of the cliff.

Indian Falls Fire Chief Ed Mileham (bottom right inset) explained that it's a slow process to ensure both the safety of the victim and the rope crews.

"When you look at the fact that she's down 70 feet, the safest way up is up the bank," Mileham said. "We had 20 guys here from the (rope) team, they got down there, two of them set up harnesses and then they go down the bank -- yeah, by the time they get set up and everything, there's a little bit of time, but she appeared to be stable, so the guys were able to take their time and make sure they were safe before they got down in there."

Friday's mishap wasn't the first time this summer that Indian Falls and Pembroke responded to a near drowning at the falls.  

On June 5, another person looking for some recreation on the falls fell in and had to be rescued.

"It’s pretty dangerous," Mileham said. "If they don’t get far enough from the falls, they hit the rocks."

However, only two calls this summer is a far cry from how things used to be, Mileham noted.

"There’s been a problem down here for years," Mileham said. "Back in the '60s and '70s it used to be quite a place for kids to party and swim. I’ve been told that at one point there were 10 to 12 drownings here in one year from diving off the falls."

The Alabama and Oakfield fire departments also assisted at the scene.

A three-car accident is reported on the westbound Thruway at exit 48A. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are dispatched.

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: There are two trucks into a guardrail. No injuries. All units back in service.