ORWIGSBURG - A 57-year-old Auburn woman was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest Wednesday morning with "significant injuries" she sustained in a crash on Route 61 near Zion's Red Church.
A supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center said the crash was reported at 11:17 a.m.
Cpl. Fred Krute of the state police at Schuylkill Haven said the crash occurred as the woman, whose name he did not release pending notification of kin, was driving a 2010 Ford Fusion northbound in the left lane and Anna Harding, Orwigsburg, who was driving a 2002 Ford Explorer, was attempting to make a left turn from Brick Hill Road to go south on Route 61.
"She (Harding) pulled into the path of this lady," he said.
Krute said the Auburn woman suffered "significant injuries" but did not elaborate.
Fire personnel could be seen removing the hood of the blue Fusion shortly before 11:50 a.m.
Emergency personnel attended to the woman for at least 10 minutes before removing her to be flown to Lehigh Valley. Her condition was not available Wednesday.
Harding, who was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for evaluation, will be cited as a result of the crash, Krute said.
Mike Peckman, director of public relations and marketing for Schuylkill Health, said Wednesday he had no information on Harding.
Mike Cooper, a fire policeman with the Deer Lake and West Brunswick Fire Company No. 1, said he arrived on scene at 11:25 a.m.
"That's one heck of a hit," he said looking at the scene.
Lights, a hub cap, a windshield wiper and glass littered the road. The Explorer had damage to the driver's side front and side and hood. The Focus had extensive damage to the hood and front end. A passenger-side tire was flat.
Ted Kross, 52, of Wilkes-Barre, said he was driving by and stopped at the scene.
He was the third vehicle behind the driver of the Fusion but didn't see the accident occur.
A nurse and a paramedic, Kross went to help the Auburn women, who he said was alert.
"She was complaining of right chest pain over her breast." He also said both of her lower legs were swollen.
Kross said the woman did not appear to have any head injuries but she had a scrape on her neck from the seat belt, which she removed.
"I hope she's OK," Kross said.
The other woman, he said, was able to exit her vehicle on her own.
Doug Buffington, Tower City, was headed north on Route 61 when he stopped to help the injured driver. He held her neck until emergency personnel arrived.
"We talked the whole time. I left her know she was not alone," he said.
The drivers of both vehicles were wearing seat belts, Krute said, adding there were no passengers.
Responding to the scene in addition to the state police included the Pottsville-Schuylkill Haven Area EMS, the Orwigsburg Fire Department and fire police from the Deer Lake and West Brunswick company.