Patient Airlifted In Critical Condition After Head-On Crash In Carmel

A serious head-on collision in Putnam County prompted a major emergency response and airlift after one person was critically injured and became trapped inside a wrecked vehicle.

The scene of the crash at Stoneleigh Avenue near Drewville Road in Carmel.

The crash happened in Carmel just after noon on Saturday, July 19 Stoneleigh Avenue near Drewville Road, according to the Carmel Fire Department.

Responding units from the Carmel Fire Department, Carmel Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Carmel Police Department found two heavily damaged vehicles, with one person severely injured and trapped inside.

Carmel firefighters immediately launched rescue efforts, which lasted around 30 minutes and were led by Operations Chief Vincent Ruggiero. Because of the patient’s critical condition, first responders requested a medical helicopter and began preparing a landing zone.

Paramedics at the scene found that the victim urgently needed blood, and once the helicopter arrived, its medical team was brought directly to the crash site to assist with advanced care. Additional support came from Brewster Fire Department paramedics and Putnam County Medic 3, who helped stabilize the patient during the prolonged rescue.

Once extricated, the victim was taken into the helicopter and airlifted to Westchester Medical Center for further treatment.

Stoneleigh Avenue remained closed for an extended time on Saturday as the Carmel Police Department investigated the cause of the crash.