Updated
On November 29, 2024, Troopers made contact with a 64-year-old woman who left the Rochester area with her husband enroute to Cleveland Clinic for a heart transplant. While traveling on State Route 5 in the town of Portland, due to severity of the snow storm and road conditions in the area, they became stranded. The 64-year-old had a battery powered heart pump and before the situation became critical the husband made contact with a nurse from Cleveland Clinic. That nurse was able to contact the State Police and Troopers were able to maintain continuous contact and locate them with a NYSP Utility Task Vehicle. Troopers implemented a plan to transport the 64-year-old to Portland Fire Department then to Westfield Memorial Hospital. Troopers then transported her to the Jamestown Airport in Chautauqua County clear of the storm and she was flown by plane out of the area to Cleveland Clinic for the heart transplant.
This is an incredible story of perseverance and coordination! The actions of the Troopers, medical staff, and transportation teams highlight how critical teamwork and quick thinking can save lives, even in the face of severe weather conditions. It’s heartening to see such dedication to ensuring a patient received a life-saving heart transplant despite the challenges posed by the snowstorm.
During the winter storm from Thanksgiving to December 1, in the southern areas of Western New York along the I-90 corridor from Erie County to the Pennsylvania state line, Troopers have assisted 110 disabled vehicles, investigated 79 property damage collisions and investigated seven personal injury collisions.
