Kalōpā Information Update for August 14th, 2021
One person was seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 19 (Hawai'i Belt Road) in Kalōpā, Hāmākua Saturday evening (August 14th).
Published by: HIRSC - Hawaii Island (Hōlualoa) Team
info@hiradioscannercommunity.com
The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision on Highway 19 (Hawai'i Belt Road) in Kalōpā, Hāmākua Saturday evening (August 14th).
The initial call came in at 7:59 pm Saturday evening and HFD Crews from the Honoka'a and Waimea Fire Stations along with HPD Officers from the Hāmākua and North Hilo Patrol responded to the scene located on Highway 19 at the 39.5-mile marker (near the intersection with Kalōpā Road) in Kalōpā, Hāmākua.
Upon the arrival of emergency crews, reports came in from bystanders at the scene reporting a pickup truck (described as a Gold older model GMC compact pickup) had rear-ended a semi-truck (description of the semi involved not disclosed) on Highway 19 near the 39.5-mile marker in the north (Waimea) lane. The driver of the semi was uninjured, however, the driver of the GMC pickup (described as a male approximately in his 70s) was reported to be pinned in the vehicle by the steering wheel and part of the dash. The driver of the GMC was conscious and alert, but unable to get out of the vehicle on his own. Bystanders provided basic medical care until emergency crews arrived at the scene.
Once emergency crews arrived at the scene, HFD Crews immediately worked to extricate the male operator from the pickup truck. Due to major damage and intrusion into the passenger compartment, it took multiple HFD Crews to extricate the male from the pickup. Once extricated from the pickup, HFD Medic immediately provided medical care to the male patient and prepared him for transport. HFD Medic then transported the male patient to the North Hawaii Community Hospital in serious condition for further medical treatment.
HPD Officers contra-flowed traffic in the south (Hilo) bound lane of Highway 19 while HFD Crews worked at the scene and until the vehicles could be cleared from the roadway.
HPD continues to investigate the incident.