PARADISE TOWNSHIP, YORK COUNTY, Pa. – Two are dead and two seriously injured in a crash involving two vehicles in Paradise Township, York County. Northern York County Regional Police and several fire companies responded to a report of a car crash with fire shortly after 5 p.m. near the intersection of East Berlin and North Lake Roads. The S.U.V. involved in the crash caught fire, and it spread to the porch of a nearby home. According to a nearby resident, no one was home, and it was extinguished quickly.
That resident, David Shadle, heard the sound of the crash and then heard an explosion a few minutes later.
“We looked out this way and saw a large puff of black smoke,” he said. “Apparently a gas tank or some part of the car exploded.”
Shortly after crews arrived the county coroner was called to the scene. One person died at the scene, the second victim died later at the hospital. The identities of the victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
East Berlin Road is closed near the scene, Northern York County Regional Police said it should open soon.
Shadle said the intersection of East Berlin Road and North Lake Road is dangerous. He has seen several crashes in that area.
“It’s basically the crest of a hill, and you’re behind a house,” he said. “It’s difficult to see folks coming up that hill.”
Medical helicopters were summoned to scene to fly the injured to the hospital.
Shadle said after seeing so many crashes there, he may start to avoid the intersection.
“We are always careful, when we pull out of this road,” he said. “I might think twice about going this way.”
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.
