UNION — Flagger positions at a paving site on Heald Highway were handed over to Union firefighters, Thursday, June 19, after the construction zone became a chain reaction crash scene. 

Union fire and EMS responders, along with a Knox County Sheriff's deputy, were dispatched to a one-vehicle incident at approximately 3:35 p.m. That eastbound vehicle pulled off into the entry way of the transfer station. Very soon after, a deputy who happened to be in the area, arrived. While the deputy was gathering information from the driver, a chain reaction of three more eastbound vehicles resulted in rear-end collisions that sent those vehicles in different directions.

Based on the increase in quantity of people involved, and therefore a potential increase in patients, Union ambulance brought its two rigs and firefighters considered calling for a mutal aid ambulance.

All people involved declined to be transported to the hospital.

At least two more deputies went to the scene, as well.

The two flaggers who'd been standing on the west side of the one-lane only zone had to leap out of the way to avoid being struck by one of the vehicles, according to Union Asst. Fire Chief Nick Ciasullo.

The flagging company offered to help Union firefighters with traffic control, which FD appreciated. However, the FD and flagger radios don't communictate with each other, and therefore, FD wouldn't have been able to hear them anyway. 

Meanwhile, because of the congestion at the crash zone, the paving company opted to move its operation further down the highway toward Washington.

Fire and law enforcement left the scene at approximately 4:45 p.m.