Allegheny County 911 operators credited with saving 2 drivers from fiery crash

Multiple Allegheny County 911 dispatchers who had just ended their shifts were credited with saving two drivers from a fiery crash on eastbound Interstate 376 in Robinson early Saturday.

The crash on the inbound highway, between the Summit Park Drive bridge and the interchange for Routes 22/30 and 60, Exit 60, was reported just after 6 a.m., a 911 dispatcher said.

An image provided by the Moon Run Volunteer Fire Company showed one of the two vehicles engulfed in flames, while flames were visible from the front end of the other vehicle.

According to the fire company, just before firefighters arrived, multiple 911 dispatchers leaving their shift, along with a tow truck driver with McGann & Chester, had stopped and removed the drivers from both burning vehicles.

The drivers were taken to hospitals for treatment. No information was available on their identities or conditions.

A representative of Allegheny County Emergency Services could not be reached for comment Saturday.

The Moon Run Volunteer Fire Company commended the dispatchers — also known as telecommunicators, or TCOs — for their efforts.

“A huge shoutout to the TCOs of Allegheny County Emergency Services! Today they saved two lives on the other end of the phone/radio,” the fire company said on its Facebook page. “Our dispatchers very rarely get the recognition they deserve as being first responders, but this morning they were first on the scene and made a difference. Solid work!”

No information was immediately available from state police, who a Moon Run volunteer said were investigating the crash.