CHARLES TOWN, W.VA. -- Independent Fire Co. Chief Ed Smith said he and a group of people formed a team to rescue motorists who were stuck during Saturday's snow storm, but were forced to give up the effort.
"The number of (calls) was overwhelming. There are cars everywhere. It's very, very treacherous," Smith said early Saturday afternoon.
The people involved in the rescue group decided their time was better spent assisting with medical calls, which were presenting their own challenges, Smith said.
Two ambulances became stuck in the snow responding to calls, Smith said.
One ambulance became stuck responding to a call at Washington Village off South George Street in Charles Town and the other ambulance became stuck on Washington Street in Harpers Ferry, Smith said.
Because of heavy snow, patients were being taken to the closest hospital, Smith said.
A patient who suffered a broken leg in Rippon, W.Va., wanted to be transported to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center near Martinsburg, W.Va., but "it's just not practical," Smith said.
