KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and SportsSt. Marys Hospital's response to Austin crash

St. Marys Hospital's response to Austin crash

ROCHESTER, MN (KTTC-DT) --  St. Marys Hospital operated in a code yellow Wednesday afternoon after the coach bus crash on I-90 in Austin.

Mayo Clinic says seven helicopters were ready to respond, but only three ended up touching the ground.

Four of those involved in the crash were taken to St. Marys Hospital. Three were critically injured including the driver of the bus.

Others were taken to Albert Lea and Austin Medical Centers.

Mayo Clinic sent out it's condolences to those victims of the crash.

"As many of you know this occurred at about 3:30 this afternoon and there were fatalities that were associated with this event. This is a tragedy. We are very sorry and our condolences go out to those who died today," said Dr. Christopher Farmer.

"We extend our condolences to all the involved peoples," said Dr. Beth Ballinger.

We talked with a Mayo Clinic flight paramedics about the quick decisions crews have to make about which patients to take in triage situations.

"When we arrive on the scene we make ground contact with the law enforcement on scene and they run landing zone security. And then we go over and talk with any other ambulance providers that are on the scene that have already been there, seen the patients and triage the patients. They decide which patient the most critical is," said Alan Beckstrom, Mayo Flight paramedic.

More information about the severity of the injuries of the patients at Saint Marys Hospital will be released Thursday morning.