Four members of the Narromine Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) played a crucial role in responding to the horror seven-vehicle crash on the Newell Highway north of Dubbo this week.
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Two people were killed and 11 others were injured in the crash on Tuesday, when it is believed a south-bound semi-trailer hit six vehicles from behind while they were stopped at roadworks.
The Narromine crew – captain Mark Beahan, deputy captain David McKinnon, Anthony Eachen and Nathan Lenord – was responsible for safely extricating the driver of the semi-trailer, while Dubbo crews worked to remove an 18-year-old man trapped in a car that was crushed underneath the truck.
Narromine VRA president Graham Milgate said the crew described the scene as “like a bomb had gone off”.
Another crew from Narromine was also “ready to roll” in case any other incidents occurred while the Dubbo crews were tied up.
“We had some high quality people go over to help the Dubbo guys,” Mr Milgate said.
“It’s a credit to them for going. It’s a big ask and to see what they saw on Tuesday night, it hasn’t happened for a long time.”
Dubbo Rescue Squad captain David Chenhall said it was the biggest emergency he has been involved in in 15 years as a rescue operator.
“As soon as I left [for the scene] my first call was to my regional coordinator to say ‘get Narromine out there’,” Mr Chenhall said.
“I knew I could trust them. I didn’t know what we were going to see yet, I just knew it was nasty.”
The scene, which has been described as “absolute carnage” by emergency services, saw multiple people trapped with serious injuries.
Mr Chenhall said the emergency response required four completely separate, hours-long rescues that needed to be facilitated simultaneously.
“Every vehicle had one person trapped inside and... they all needed extricating at the same time,” Mr Chenhall said.
“Without their assistance it would have been more fatigue on the Dubbo crew and fire brigade that were on scene.
“Four hours is a massive time, a long time to be constantly doing a rescue operation.
“And the guys from Narromine have got many, many, many years of experience, so it’s invaluable. Thank you to them.”
Anyone with information relating to the crash is urged to contact police.
