On Sunday, February 4^th at approximately 7:15 pm Byron Fire Department received a call for an accident with injuries on Route 72. This was a two-vehicle accident located ½ mile east of the intersection of River and German Church Roads. Upon arrival on the scene we discovered a two vehicle accident in which both vehicles had sustained severe damage; one to the front end, and the other to the driver’s side door.

The car with front-end damage had a male driver who was 41 years old. This victim was not believed to be wearing a seatbelt, and was found to be in critical condition. A helicopter from REACT was called. The victim was extricated from the vehicle and paramedics from Byron Fire Department initiated treatment. The patient had multiple systems critical trauma and was unresponsive. This victim was flown to Rockford Memorial Hospital by REACT. The victim went into cardiac arrest during the flight to Rockford Memorial and was unable to be resuscitated by either the flight crew or the staff at Rockford Memorial Emergency Room.

A 31-year-old female from Byron occupied the other car, which received severe driver’s side damage. Other paramedics from the Byron Fire Department treated her simultaneously with the first patient. She was conscious but in serious condition due to multiple systems trauma sustained during the accident. This patient was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Rockford Memorial Hospital where she underwent surgery for her injuries.