Catskills Hatzolah headquarters in South Fallsburg was the site of a heartwarming event this week, as Rabbi Joel Friedman, a prominent community leader in the Tri-State Area, and the chaplain of Orange Regional Medical Center—used by thousands of families vacationing as well as year- round— dedicated an ambulance of his beloved father, Rabbi Mordechai Friedman, z”l. In attendance were an array of representatives from Hatzolah in nearly every community in New York—Central Hatzolah, Boro Park, Williamsburg, Catskills, Kiryas Yoel, and Monsey—as well as numerous community leaders and askonim.

Tragedy struck the Satmar community on Tuesday evening, as word spread of a tragic accident which resulted in the Petira of a Yeshiva Bochur. It happened at around 9:30PM when a vehicle travelling southbound on Forest Road in Kiryas Joel struck the victim. Kiryas Joel Hatzolah rushed him to Westchester Medical Center, where doctors tried to save his life. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful. The victim was later identified as Habochur Aaron Friedman Z”L. He was 16. The Levaya was held on Wednesday in Kiryas Yoel. The NY State Police is investigating the incident. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Catskills Hatzolah was on the scene of a two car crash in Monticello, Sunday afternoon. It happened at the intersection of Fraser Road and Anawana Road at around 2:00PM. One person was transported to the hospital. The Monticello Fire Department was on the scene as well assisting Hatzolah.
The post Monticello: MVA On Fraser Road & Ananwana Road [VIDEO & PHOTOS] appeared first on The Yeshiva World.

As YWN reported on Wednesday, a serious crash on Route 17 left two people dead. Today, the NY State Police has provided YWN with details of the crash. Following is the NY State Police unedited statement: On August 4, 2021 at approximately 7:10 p.m. the State Police responded to a fatal crash on State Route 17 eastbound at the Sands Road Overpass near exit 119 in the Town of Wallkill. The crash involved a 2005 Ford Escape operated by Anthony K. Jones, age 24 of Walden, NY and a 2004 Toyota Sienna, operated by Nelson Vivarcampoverde age 48 of Middletown, NY. Jones was traveling alone while Vivarcampoverde’s vehicle was occupied by 7 additional passengers. The Toyota Sienna was traveling in the passing lane of State Route 17 parallel to the Ford Escape that was in the driving lane.

A horrific crash on NY Route 17 claimed the lives of two victims, Wednesday night. Sources tell YWN that two vehicles were involved in the crash on Route 17 westbound in the vicinity of Exit 119 at around 7:10PM. One of the vehicles overturned, with victims possibly being ejected. Catskills Hatzolah was on the scene along with Wallkill Vol Ambulance from Orange County, and Mobilemedics from Sullivan County assisting. At least two victims were pronounced dead by Paramedics arriving on the scene, and a third victim in very critical condition. One or two medevacs were requested to the scene. The entire highway is closed in both directions. The NY State Police are investigating the cause of the crash. It did not appear that Misaskim services were needed in this tragic incident.

Traffic was brought to a halt on the eastbound lanes of Route 17 this morning. Sources tell YWN that a passenger vehicle suddenly went up in flames while driving near Exit 100 at around 11:00AM, Wednesday morning. A passing Hatzolah volunteer quickly ran to make sure the occupants were out of the vehicle, and had moved to a safe distance. The Rock Hill Fire Department was called, and required the full closure of traffic in the eastbound lanes as they extinguished the blaze. The D.O.T. responded for an oil spill, and traffic was reopened around 40 minutes later. Video via @Burbach

Recently, YWN has unfortunately had to fill these pages with tragedy and sorry. YWN is glad when readers share stories with us to publish that are filled with happiness, and thanks to Hashem. In fact the following story is being shared with the encouragement of these families for that exact fact. They want to do so for kavod shamayim and to express their boundless hakaras hatov to Hashem. This attached photo was taken this past Thursday, when an SUV filled with Yeshiva Bochrim returning from a camp slipped off the road and overturned. The vehicle rolled over into the woods, and the vehicle was destroyed. The passengers could have easily been ejected from the vehicle – but Bichasdei Hashem, none of that happened.

In a show of support, multiple prominent leaders gathered to honor New York and New Jersey law enforcement officials for going beyond the call of duty to save countless lives while keeping the community safe during the pandemic. Community leaders and law enforcement chaplains were among those who expressed their deepest appreciation to members of law enforcement for their dedication. “Throughout the most difficult circumstances, law enforcement professionals stayed the course and risked their own lives to save others, and for that we are grateful,” said law enforcement Chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman.

As the country reopens following more than a year of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, people are ready to hit the road… for a good cause. On Thursday, July 29, a record 600 cyclists will ride close to 60,000 miles to support children with serious illnesses as part of Bike4Chai. Now in its 12th year, the annual cycling event raises funds for Chai Lifeline, the international children’s health support network which provides social, practical, and financial assistance to children with life-threatening and lifelong illnesses and their families. This year’s one-day ride will feature two scenic but challenging route options of 80 or 108 miles.

A search is underway for a missing boy in a forest in Pennsylvania, Wednesday night. A highly trained search team from Rockland Chaveirim has arrived on the scene and are beginning to comb the forest for the missing 15-year-old boy, who was part of a camp on a field trip. The boy is missing for around six hours (it is now 10:15PM ET). Please say Tehillim for Mordechai Yaakov ben Dina. Additional details will be published when they become available to us. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)