Seven injured in Hwy. 16 collision

WEST POINT -  On August 9, 2025, a potentially severe storm moved through the West Point area, prompting an emergency call for a house that was reportedly struck by lightning and at the same time a multi-vehicle accident with multiple victims was reported at the Highway 16 and 240th Avenue intersection that required a coordinated response from several agencies.
At approximately 5 p.m, West Point Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a report of a house struck by lightning at 2895 Bittersweet Drive. While units were en route, dispatch notified responders of a multi-vehicle accident with possible injuries at the intersection of 240th Avenue and Highway 16, north of West Point.
Due to the simultaneous nature of the calls, resources were split. One West Point engine crew continued toward the lightning strike, while remaining West Point units were redirected to the accident scene. At this time, mutual aid was requested from Fort Madison Fire Department to respond to the Bittersweet Drive call and Denmark Fire was requested to respond to the accident call.  Reports from a law enforcement officer on scene at 2895 Bittersweet Drive indicated no visible fire or smoke. Fort Madison Fire & Rescue responded and, upon their arrival, confirmed no hazard was present and advised the West Point crew so they could respond to the accident call.

At the accident scene, as law enforcement responders arrived, they found two vehicles involved in a collision with multiple victims. West Point Fire Department Chief Brian Schmitz arrived on scene and established Fire Command and notified LeeComm to activate the Lee County multiple casualty incident plan. As Lee County Ambulance personnel arrived on scene, a unified command was established. There were a total of seven patients involved in the accident and they were triaged according to injury severity, immediate care was rendered, and transport decisions were made based on severity. The multiple casualty plan had multiple ambulances dispatched and Air Evac and Medforce were requested. Due to the weather, Air Evac declined so the helicopter from Iowa City, AirCare1, was requested. 
Information concerning the victims will not be released at this time. 
Agencies assisting at the collision scene and the fire incident included: Denmark Fire & Rescue (mutual aid), Lee County EMS Ambulance, Henry County Ambulance, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, West Point Police Department, Fort Madison Fire Department, Iowa State Patrol, MedForce Two; Aircare 1, and LeeComm Dispatch.
West Point Fire & Rescue thanks all responding agencies for their professionalism and teamwork in managing two simultaneous incidents under challenging conditions.