Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Falls Township police have released more information on the crash between an SUV and van transporting a group of unhoused people from the area.
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Falls Township police, fire, and area ambulance crews were dispatched to the crash at Tyburn Road and New Falls Road at approximately 6:52 p.m.
Upon arrival, police and rescue crews found a 2018 Toyota Highlander, driven by a 53-year-old female resident of Levittown, in the center of the intersection. The vehicle had extensive front-end damage and activated airbags. A 2017 Ford Transit 350 van was discovered off the roadway and in the tree line along New Falls Road, authorities said.
The 15-person transport van, driven by a 77-year-old Levittown woman, sustained damage to its driver-side front quarter panel, door, and rear passenger area. The van had its airbags deployed as well, police said.
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On Sunday, police said the initial investigation has established that as the Toyota attempted a left turn onto New Falls Road, it collided with the van that was passing through the intersection.
“Alcohol, drugs or a medical emergency are not believed to be factors in causation,” police said.
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After speaking with hospital officials on Saturday night, it is not believed there will be any fatalities, according to police.
Police said three people from Toyota were transported by ambulance to Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol Township.
Eight people in the van, including the driver, were transported to several hospitals by ambulance, including St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown Township, Jefferson Bucks Hospital, Lower Bucks Hospital, and Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, police said.
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The Bucks County Rescue Squad, Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad, Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad, Yardley Makefield Emergency Unit, and Capital Health Emergency Medical Services transported patients.
Due to the number of injuries, authorities declared the crash a mass casualty incident. However, the number of confirmed injuries was reduced from initial reports on Friday evening.
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The van involved belongs to Advocates for the Homeless and Those in Need.
The van was carrying passengers from the homeless shelter in Bristol Township after a community dinner. The driver and one passenger were confirmed as volunteers of Advocates for the Homeless and Those in Need.
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The organization said in a statement that the van was totaled in the crash.
“This will be a hardship for AHTN as our vehicles are used to transport guests to and from community meals and the Code Blue shelter in the winter,” the nonprofit said.
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The group added: “Please say a prayer for all that were involved in this accident that they can heal from such a tragedy.”
Authorities are requesting that anyone with information regarding the crash to contact the lead investigators, Corporal Alexander Sansone and Officer Matthew Shannon, at 215-328-8501. Emails can be directed to a.sansone@fallstwppd.com, m.shannon@fallstwppd.com, or submitted anonymously at tiplines@fallstwppd.com.
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