Cessnock District Rescue Squad responded to two car accidents within two hours on Saturday afternoon. Units responded to an accident on Georges Downs Drive, Bucketty around 4.10pm, but upon arrival of emergency services it was found no persons were trapped and units were stood down. Shortly after members arrived home, at approximately 5.45pm the squad responded to reports of a serious accident on Maitland Road, Cessnock near Quarry Street. Two adults and a young child were trapped in a car that had been hit by a semi-trailer and sustained various injuries. Rescue squad volunteers assisted with NSW Ambulance paramedics to treat, stabilise and remove the injured people from the car. “The rescue operation and extrication of both adults and child took approximately an hour due to the seriousness of the injuries and also the complex rescue operation due to the condition of the car,” squad spokesperson Chris Prince said. Rescue squad personnel used hydraulic cutters and the “Jaws of Life” to remove both sides of the vehicle to extricate the occupants of the vehicle. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter landed nearby and the driver was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition. The front seat passenger was transported by road to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition, and the child was also taken to John Hunter in a stable condition. The driver of the truck was uninjured and was checked over by NSW Ambulance paramedics. Rescue squad members remained at the scene until around 11.30pm to provide lighting to assist police crash investigators. Traffic was diverted around the scene via Long Street until approximately midnight until both vehicles and the road was cleared. “These incidents outline how important the Cessnock District Rescue Squad is to the community of the Cessnock local government area and the vast area of coverage,” Mr Prince said. “Without donations and continual support of the community, we wouldn’t be able to have the specialist rescue equipment to provide these services free of charge 24/7 to the community of Cessnock and Kurri Kurri.” Visit the squad’s Facebook page ‘Cessnock District Rescue Squad’, call 4991 2444 or email cnckvra@bigpond.com for more information about how you can support the rescue squad.