east pembroke

State Police are continuing to investigate the apparent accidental death of Kevin Doktor, of Boyce Road, Corfu, late this afternoon.

According to what East Pembroke firefighters were told when they arrived on scene, Doktor was operating a CASE Model 1840 skid loader when it became stuck, said Stephen Smelski, assistant chief for East Pembroke.

Doktor's son went to get a piece of equipment at Doktor's nearby house to pull it out and returned to the skid loader with a neighbor.

The 54-year-old Doktor was reportedly caught between the loader's bucket and the front of the seat area of the loader.

Smelski said it appeared Doktor was either trying to repair something or get back into the skid loader when the bucket fell.

There should be safety devices on the loader to prevent such accidents said a neighbor who works regularly with skid loaders. It's not known at this time why such a safety device might have failed.

At this stage of the investigation, State Police are not discussing any details of the incident, but it is being investigated as an accident.

Smelski said when firefighters arrived, they tried to lift the bucket, but the apparent equipment malfunction prevented them from moving it. Even if they had been able to move it, Doktor's injuries were too severe for first responders to have saved him, Smelski said.

Doktor was well known in the Corfu and East Pembroke communities. He owned Doktor's Welding on Route 5.

A man is reported to be stuck -- "not sure if he's inside or under" -- a bulldozer or some other type of machinery on Boyce Road. Mercy medics are responding along with East Pembroke Fire Department and mutual aid from Alexander. Mercy Flight is on ground standby in Batavia.

UPDATE 4:28 p.m.: "Patient is still trapped underneath a skidster," says a responder from Corfu Fire Deparment, adding that the patient is way back behind the house.

UPDATE 4:29 p.m.: The path back there is problematic because it's likely trucks would get stuck if they tried to drive on it.

UPDATE 4:31 p.m.: They need manpower to go back to the accident site with hand tools. They are to stage at their trucks for now. An investigator is called to the scene.

UPDATE 4:34 p.m.: Mercy Flight is cancelled.

UPDATE 4:35 p.m.: A rep for Case tractor / farm equipment is sought so responders can get information on how to work the machine's hydraulics.

UPDATE 4:41 p.m.: A man is at the scene who is either a rep for Case or who is knowlegable about the machinery in question, but he is told the State Police investigators must complete their work before he go back there.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: This is a fatal accident.

An Airstream travel trailer is reportedly on fire on the westbound Thruway near mile marker 397.0. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3 p.m.: The fire is "going pretty good." According to caller reports, the location is closer to 392.2, which is in Town of Batavia's district. All manpower from East Pembroke is called in along with units from Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 3:03 p.m.: Traffic is backed up to Kelsey Road. The trailer fire appears to be fully involved. The vehicle is disconnected from the trailer and both are roadside. There are still conflicting reports as to the location, now said to be by mile marker 396. It's determined to be in East Pembroke's district, which will therefore be in command.

UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: Firefighting equipment is not yet on scene. The trailer is probably going to be a total loss, according to fire command. Traffic is snarled.

UPDATE 4:16 p.m.: The East Pembroke / Town of Batavia assignment is back in service.

A grass fire is reported by a state trooper near mile marker 398.6 on the westbound Thruway. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 5:16 p.m.: Pembroke Fire Department is also responding. Firefighters are told to use caution upon approach because there's a disabled vehicle on the Thruway near the grass fire. Traffic is backed up in both lanes.

UPDATE 5:18 p.m.: Pembroke fire chief is on Indian Falls Road and can see the blaze. He says there's a road running next to a corn field and it's possible trucks could go down it to reach the fire. They are going to try that approach and other responders already on the Thruway will continue to the mile marker.

UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: Pembroke command reports the fire is out.

It's time again for one of the most fun and exciting events in Genesee County -- the East Pembroke Mud Races, sponsored by the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department.

Registration for the race begins at 9 a.m., Saturday, and ends at 11:30. Racing follows. The registration fee is $15 per wheeler and $5 per extra classes. Racers pay an admission fee, as well.

There will also be the annual Mud Queen Scramble and a Mud King and Outlaw Class race.

Spectator admission is $10, and pit spectator admission is $15.

Raffle prizes include a 2013 Polaris Sportsman 500cc, a 2013 Polaris Outlaw 50cc and $3,500 cash. Second place is $500; 3rd is $250.

The fire department wishes to thank all of its sponsors and members for the support and work to make the event possible.

In the picture, from left, Willie Torres, Chuck Chatley, Gerri Baylor, Julie Waldron, Steve Smelski, Willie Welch, Dan Kolb and Ray Schramm.

A second rider was reported down and injured at Area 51 in East Pembroke. Mercy medics responded. The responders are now back in service.

A 14-year-old boy with a head injury will require Mercy Flight transportation to a hospital. He's a rider at the Area 51 motocross track in East Pembroke, located at 3500 Harloff Road.

The Batavia helicopter is responding, along with Mercy Medics and East Pembroke Fire Department.

He's believed to be in the "far left area" of the facility.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

A large pile of cars is on fire at Ed Arnold Scrap Processors at 2216 Angling Road in Corfu. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with an engine and tanker from Corfu.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: Alabama Fire Department is called to respond mutual aid. Foam will be needed to fight the fire, which includes other debris such as "ground-up tires" and upholstery. An ambulance is called to provide aid to firefighters if need be.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: Darien, Alexander, Pembroke, Indian Falls and Town of Batavia are also called in, along with fire police to control traffic.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: All traffic is being shut down at Route 33 and Angling Road.

UPDATE 3:55 p.m.: Fire is knocked down. Now doing overhaul.

UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: The roads are reopened.

A motorcycle accident with injuries is reported at Brown and Simonds roads. The rider is conscious and alert but the bike is on top of him. Mercy Flight is on air standby. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

The subject is fully outfitted for riding. He's in water, his head is not.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Mercy Flight was called to the scene and has landed.

UPDATE 8:19 p.m.: The patient, who landed in a ditch, is now onboard the helicopter.

UPDATE 8:22 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, but we don't know its destination.

UPDATE 8:35 p.m.: The East Pembroke assignment is back in service.

A tractor-trailer is leaking a significant amount of diesel fuel at the travel service center in Pembroke, located at 8319 Indian Falls Road.

Also, a portion of the disabled vehicle's drive shaft fell off in an eastbound lane of the Thruway near mile marker 398.7. State Troopers are on scene and it has been removed, but three vehicles are damaged after striking it. There's fuel covering the roadway in that area "as far as I can see" says an officer at the scene.

The East Pembroke fire chief is asking for absorbant material and foam for the fuel spill at the travel center.

"We're going to need a lot of speed dry. It's pouring out like a water hose."

There's a four-inch rip in the truck's gas tank and is gushing so much it's covering the parking lot and is now pouring into the drainage and sewer system.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is being called out, along with the county Emergency Management Department's Haz-Mat team, and the state Department of Transportation.

Firefighters report being all out of speedy dry at the East Pembroke Fire Hall and will call on the Town of Batavia Fire Department for some. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are called to the travel center to provide mutual aid.

About 120 gallons of fuel has leaked and it's still gushing. The tank was full and now it's down to an eighth of a tank. At least a truckload of absorbant materials is needed. A boom is going to be used to try and prevent any more flow from going into the drainage system.

UPDATE 4:15 p.m.: When asked how the spill was, a firefighter said "It's come down a lot -- either that or she's almost out of fuel."

UPDATE 5:19 p.m.: The East Pembroke chief says fire crews cleaned up as much of the spill as they could and the remainder of it will be handled by the Thruway Authority and the DEC. Fire crews which responded are back in service, including Corfu, which was standing by in its quarters.

A possible structure fire is reported at 7475 S. Pearl Street Road in Oakfield. It is believed to stem from an electrical problem in the basement, which is showing some white smoke. Oakfield Fire Department is responding and mutual aid is requested from East Pembroke, Town of Batavia, and Alabama, which is called to fill in at Oakfield's hall. Everyone is out of the building.

UPDATE 6:42 p.m.: The electrical circuits have been shut off and Oakfield is waiting for National Grid to arrive. All mutual aid responders back in service.

Three primary power lines / poles are down in the roadway in the area of 1428 Main Road in Pembroke, just past Boyce Road. The wires were arcing and smoking. Cables lines are also hanging low across the roadway, and a fallen tree is laying on them. Tractor-trailers will be stopped by fire police at routes 5 and 77.

Pembroke, East Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. National Grid and the cable company have been notified.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: National Grid and Time Warner reps are on scene. Once the low-hanging cables wires are disconnected, tractor-trailers will be allowed through.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: All traffic can proceed; roadways reopened.

UPDATE 1:33 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls are back in service.

Two four-wheel ATVs have been stolen from a residence in East Pembroke and the owner is offering a cash reward for their return.

They belong to Parker Dean, who has been racing motocross and flat track on the local and national circuit for eight years. The theft comes at a particularly bad time -- the start of the season.

One is a blue 2001 Yamaha Raptor 660 with ITP Holeshot  front tires and ITP mud lite rear tires, DG front bumper, TCS front shocks with black PEP shock covers and carbon fiber hand guards.

The other ATV is green Suzuki Ltr 450 with a custom black and green Quadtech seat, gunmetal hinson clutch cover, Quadtech carbon fiber shock guards, 127 number plate.

The reward will be paid upon return of the quads and "conviction of the scum who sold them," according to the flyer we were sent.

Call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000 with any information that may assist in the investigation.

A car fire with flames shooting from the engine compartment is reported on Wortendyke Road near Route 33. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 11:23 a.m.: A responder on scene says "I think we got it knocked down with a few extinguishers." East Pembroke just arrived at the scene.

It's a bird. It's a plane. No, .... it's a piece of a farmer's crop cover.

Remember the story Saturday about a balloon "or something like" falling from the sky near Pratt Road.

One resident described it as "a giant roll of toilet paper" flying through the air.

East Pembroke's fire chief, Don Newton, called today and clued us in on what really happened.

On Friday, a local farmer put down a 250x50-foot cloth crop cover over freshly planted seeds. It was weighted down with soil.

But a strong enough gust of wind hit East Pembroke on Saturday to rip up a portion of the cover and send it flying through the air. It traveled a good long distance before getting snagged in the trees.

Everybody who responded thought it was a weather balloon and spent a good deal of time looking for the weather device that would have been attached to it. The Buffalo weather station wanted it back.

But, we now know, there was no such device attached.

Newton said the farmer was afraid he'd be in a bit of trouble for the mishap, but Newton reassured him -- you're a farmer, this is an agricultural community, things happen.

The Emergency Dispatch Center has received a couple of calls reporting a big balloon of some sort crashed into the trees off Pratt Road, east of Powers Road, by the Thruway, and in the woods.

The contraption is hung up in the trees. It's unknown if occupied. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding, along with Mercy medics as a precaution. Mercy Flight is also put on standby.

A responder on scene said he saw the balloon come down pretty fast and it looked liked a "roll of toilet paper coming down."

UPDATE 4:24 p.m.: Witnesses at the scene say no one is in the thing, which is said to be a weather balloon. East Pembroke and medics are put back in service.

UPDATE 4:29 p.m.: The weather service in Buffalo told dispatchers these types of balloons are put up every 12 hours, every day. This one apparently fell short due to a lack of wind. The white object seen falling from it is thought to be its instrument box. Responders say they haven't located it and think it might be in the swamp. If it's found it will be sent back to Buffalo. The weather service doesn't want the damaged balloon back, just the instrument box.

UPDATE Monday, April 29: This wasn't a weather balloon after all. It is a "crop blanket" from a nearby farm. The farmer told authorities that he had put it over his crop on Friday and on Saturday half of it tore off and blew away. Intact, the crop blanket measured 250 feet by 50 feet.

A two-car, head-on collision is reported in the area of 8419 Indian Falls Road, north of Pratt Road. Mercy Flight out of Batavia is apprised and available. East Pembroke Fire Department and two Mercy Medic units are responding.

UPDATE 10:24 a.m.: A responder on scene reports the vehicles are well off the roadway, not blocking, and the occupants claim no injuries. Medics will continue in order to evaluate.

While out taking pictures of railroad crossings this morning, I passed this barn on Brown Road.

Some railroads crossings of the CSX line in Genesee County will be temporarily closed this evening in portions of the Town of Batavia, Darien, Corfu and East Pembroke.

Railroad crossings will be closed to all traffic on Wortendyke, Upton, Wilkinson and Colby roads, and Ellinwood Avenue, and possibly at other locations along that rail route.

The closure is expected to last until approximately midnight.