Monvtille EMT Helps Rescue 11 In PA Crash

MONTVILLE, CT — A Montville EMT is being recognized for pulling 11 people from a crash on I-80 in Stroudsburg, PA this week, according to The Day. Mark Battista, an EMS lieutenant at Chesterfield Fire Co., was driving through white-out conditions when he spotted a man next to a van that had rolled on its side.

He stopped and approached the man, Leonard Friedman. The two extricated 11 people from the van, including Friedman's wife and children.

According to a Facebook post from Chesterfield Fire Co., "After each person was safely removed from the van, Lt. Battista put his EMS skills to work evaluating the victims of the accident and rendering medical care until local agencies were on scene with him."

Battista was in Pennsylvania because he has spent the past month working as part of a 15 person team, on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, conducting COVID-19 screenings in rural areas that would otherwise have no easy access to testing.

"For the Volunteer Firefighters and EMTs who serve your Chesterfield Fire Company," the Facebook post reads, "as well as our three sister Volunteer Fire Companies that make up The Town of Montville Fire Service, service before self does not stop when outside of the Fire District or outside of The Town of Montville, and Lt. Battista exemplified that tonight. Well done Mark, you made us proud!"