Published: June 21, 2009 01:55 am      

WEB FIRST: Fire, crash tie up emergency personnel

Motorcyclist flown to Indy after crash.

Howard County emergency personnel had their hands full late Saturday night just east of Kokomo.

At approximately 10:30, Greentown Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire in the 3600 block of east 50 North. A Greentown police officer was first to arrive and reported flames were showing from the stone ranch home.

Greentown immediately requested assistance and Emergency Management and Taylor Township fire departments were called out as well.

While firefighters were battling the blaze, Howard County dispatchers received a 911 call for a car-motorcycle crash in the 5600 block of east U.S. 35/Ind. 22 at approximately 11:30. Greentown EMS responded and, due to the fire tying up Greentown and Taylor fire crews, Harrison Township fire personnel were called to the crash.

According to Deputy Mike Miller, the motorcycle, with a driver and passenger, was westbound in a group of three motorcycles when it ran into the back of a car.

Lifeline helicopter was called in to transport the male driver of the motorcycle to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was conscious and talking but lethargic at the scene. Deputies did not know if the female passenger was injured.

Deputies and Indiana State Police are investigating the crash.

Harrison firefighters were recalled before reaching the crash and diverted to the fire to provide manpower assistance.

No one was injured at the fire, according to Greentown fire officials, and the residents were not home at the time of the fire. Firefighters were still at the scene at 2 a.m. Sunday. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.