Five injured in Coupeville crash

Five people were injured as the result of a three-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon in Coupeville.

Personnel from Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue and Whidbey General Hospital EMS responded to the accident that took place at the intersection of South Main Street and Highway 20. Engine 53, Aid 53 and Paramedic Unit Whidbey 5 responded to the accident.

Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue Chief Ed Hartin said in a news release there were nine occupants among the three cars. Five of those occupants were eventually transported just up the street to Whidbey General Hospital for treatment.

Few details are available regarding the accident that occurred on a sunny afternoon. A spokesman for the Washington State Patrol said the names of the people involved weren’t available Tuesday.

Due to the holiday weekend, response from the mostly volunteer fire district was limited, according to the news release. No additional units from Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue responded to the accident. The only other unit to respond was Rescue 25, which is based out of North Whidbey Fire and Rescue’s Heller Road Station.

Hartin noted the Central Whidbey fire district currently has only 24 volunteers, which is down from 55 the district boasted 20 years ago.

While the loss in volunteer firefighters mirrors a national trend, it’s more significant on Central Whidbey because of an aging population and working residents having limited time to volunteer, according to the news release.

Staff from Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue continues to actively recruit volunteer members.

 

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