BRANDONVILLE - Two people, including a man from Mount Carmel, were flown to trauma centers after a fiery crash Monday morning involving a Schuylkill Transportation System bus at routes 924 and 339 in Schuylkill County.
Harold Wolford, 43, of Mount Carmel, who was driving a 1997 Ford van, was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest for treatment of injuries to his right leg and pelvis, state police Trooper Michael Van Buskirk, the investigating officer, said.
Karen Schultz, 51, of Schuylkill Haven, driver of the bus, was flown to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, in the Life Flight helicopter following the 7:10 a.m. crash.
A spokesperson at the Montour County trauma center said the woman was listed in stable condition. Wolford was also listed in stable condition.
Van Buskirk said the crash occurred when Wolford failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of routes 339 and 924. He was driving east on Route 339, entered Route 924 and struck the northbound STS bus, Van Buskirk said.
The impact forced both vehicles across the intersection, where the Wolford van struck a Frontier Communications utility pole, a stop sign, a street sign and a metal business sign owned by Central Highway Oil Co.
The STS bus also struck the utility pole, Van Buskirk said.
After hitting the pole and signs, the Wolford van caught fire and, within a short time, became completely engulfed in flames.
Shenandoah police Patrolman Robert Senape, heading home after a midnight shift, was the first on scene along with John Wakubik, who was on his way to work, Van Buskirk said.
The men helped free Wolford from his burning van and pulled Schultz from her bus, Van Buskirk said, adding that the woman was unconscious when removed from her vehicle that also began to catch fire.
The trooper said the Wolford vehicle came to a stop blocking the northbound lanes of Route 924 while the STS bus came to a stop next to the van, also blocking the northbound lane.
Dana Moyer, assistant director for STS, said the fact both Schultz and Wolford are in stable condition is good news.
"These situations are very difficult at times to deal with, but we are thankful they are being treated and hopefully their injuries will not cause any prolonged effects," she said.
"Working in transit accidents are a part of our lives, but we've been fortunate not to have many," she said.
Sheppton-Oneida and Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue firefighters extinguished the fires while Schultz and Wolford were treated by paramedics from Shenandoah ALS.
The accident is under investigation.