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Seven children, two adults injured in Lynbrook accident

Collision sends occupants to area hospitals

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Two adults and seven children who were riding in a Ford Explorer were sent to area hospitals with injuries — some serious — after the SUV collided with a Ford F-150 pickup truck at the intersection of Peninsula Boulevard and Lyon Place in Lynbrook at 1 p.m. on Monday.

According to Lynbrook Police Chief Joseph Neve, the Explorer, driven by a 46-year-old man, was traveling south on Peninsula when the F-150, driven by a 38-year-old man and traveling north, attempted to turn left onto Lyon Place. The force of the crash sent the Explorer crashing into a telephone pole.

The Lynbrook Fire Department, under the command of Chief John Chavatte dispatched its ambulance and extrication teams to the scene. With the help of the Nassau County Police Department Emergency Services, Lynbrook firefighters removed the doors on both sides of the Explorer, which were damaged, with cutters and the Jaws of Life tool. The children were then removed and put on stretchers.

According to Lynbrook F.D. spokesman Steve Grogan, one of the children was airlifted by helicopter from nearby Greis Park to Nassau County Medical Center in East Meadow with a severe head injury, while the others were transported to Winthrop Hospital and Northwell Health by the East Rockaway, Lynbrook, Rockville Centre, and Valley Stream fire departments.

The driver of the F-150 was treated at the scene, Nassau County police said, but declined further medical attention.

Brake and safety checks were performed on the F-150 at the scene, and the Explorer was impounded. The investigation was continuing as the Herald went to press, but police determined it to be a “non-criminal” accident.

Grogan confirmed that all nine people in the Explorer were from Lynbrook, but it was not clear as of press time whether all seven children were from the same family.

“This was a collaborative effort by a combined group of firefighters and police officers,” Chavatte said. “We hope and pray for the quick recovery of all the children.”