Eight people injured in Cole County crash on Highway 54
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Eight people were injured in a crash Wednesday evening in Cole County, according to a social media post from Cole County EMS.
The crash occurred in the 6100 block of Highway 54 near Brazito, the post says.
The collision involved two vehicles, though the post does not describe how the accident occurred. One person was pulled from a vehicle by Cole County firefighters. Eight people were provided “stabilizing care” at the scene before being brought to University Hospital in Columbia. The post says that all eight people were stable, but injuries ranged from minor to major.
“This incident significantly taxed Cole County EMS resources due to the unavailability of air medical helicopters due to inclement weather. Seven of the eight on-duty ambulances were committed to extended transports,” the post says.
The post states that helicopters were not available because of weather conditions. Eight EMS personnel were called in while off duty to assist with the response to the crash, the post says. First responders from several surrounding counties also responded to the crash.
“To ensure continued emergency response coverage, the incident commander initiated a recall of off-duty EMS personnel to staff reserve ambulances. Eight off-duty EMS personnel promptly returned to duty to handle additional calls for service. Mutual-aid from Miller County Ambulance District, Osage Ambulance District, and Callaway County EMS, also assisted with maintaining coverage in the county,” the post says. “In total 28 EMS personnel responded to the incident and recall. Cole County EMS was assisted on scene by resources from Cole County Fire Protection District, Cole County Sheriff's Department, Cole County First Responders, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Jefferson City Police Department Emergency Communications.”
A RAVE alert was issued around 5:30 p.m. on the highway near Old Bass Road. A second alert indicated that traffic was back to normal at 6:41 p.m.
🚨🚨Injury Crash Blocking U.S. 54🚨🚨
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) December 25, 2024
Troopers are investigating a two vehicle injury crash on westbound U.S. 54, west of Old Bass Road, in Cole County.
Both westbound lanes are blocked at this time. Please avoid the area and use an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/Wa6YiRj6W4
ABC 17 News has reached out to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
