ORLEANS – A multi-vehicle crash was reported on Route 6 eastbound just before the Orleans Rotary shortly before 1 PM Sunday. Police were diverting all eastbound traffic off at Exit 12 and westbound was closed at the rotary. This was creating heavy traffic along Route 6A through downtown Orleans. A level 1 Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) brought ambulances from Orleans, Eastham, Brewster, Wellfleet, Harwich, Chatham and Truro to the scene. Multiple people were transported to Cape Cod Hospital but none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening. The crash is under investigation by Mass State Police. Route 6 reopened in both directions about 2 PM but residual delays were likely.
Statement from Orleans Fire-Rescue: On Sunday September 1st, 2019 at 12:52 p.m., the Orleans Fire Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle crash on Route 6 Eastbound in the area of mile marker 90.6 (approximately 1 mile west of Eastham/Orleans rotary.) Initial arriving units from Orleans and Eastham found a 4 vehicle crash blocking the highway. 11 people were found to be involved and injured. Units on scene quickly triaged and treated the patients. Due to the number of patients, a “mass casualty incident” was declared by Deputy Chief Geof Deering, the incident commander, which brought a total of 8 ambulances to the scene. In total 10 people were transported to Cape Cod Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. “Incidents like these can become very complex, but with the great work of the departments on scene, our communications center, and robust mutual aid system, this incident went very well.” Said Deputy Chief Deering. All units were clear of the scene by 2:00 p.m.
The following agencies were involved:
Orleans Fire-Rescue
Orleans Police Department
Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office – Communications Center
Massachusetts State Police
Eastham Fire Department
Eastham Police Department
Brewster Fire Department
Brewster Police Department
Chatham Fire Department
Harwich Fire Department
Wellfleet Fire Department
Truro Fire Department
Cape Cod Hospital
