Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports that a multiple car crash and an ensuing investigation have caused highway closures around the intersection of U. S. Route 9 and New York Route 301 in Philipstown this afternoon. As sheriff's deputies and investigators conduct a probe of the crash, vehicle traffic is being detoured around the scene.

Motorists traveling on Route 9, with the exception of local traffic, are being detoured at Travers Corners Road south of the scene and at Fishkill Road to the north. Motorists on Route 301, except for local traffic, are being detoured at the Taconic State Parkway east of the crash and at Fishkill Road to the west. It is expected that the road closures and detours will continue until about 3:30 P. M. today.

Preliminary reports from the scene indicate that the crash, which occurred just before 12:00 P. M., involved three passenger cars and a six-wheel box-style truck. Each of the four vehicles was occupied by only a driver. One of the drivers, an unidentified male, was airlifted by helicopter to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla with unspecified injuries suffered in the accident. None of the other drivers was injured. Further details of the crash were not available at the time of this Release.

Emergency responders at the crash scene included sheriff's deputies and investigators, state troopers, state park police, Cold Spring police, Cold Spring and North Highland firefighters, Philipstown Ambulance Corps, Putnam County HazMat Team, County fire police and a StatFlite helicopter.