A LifeNet helicopter lands on state Route 3 near the Second Pond Boat Launch on Friday to transport a motorcycle rider who was involved in a crash. (Provided photo — Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department)

SARANAC LAKE — A motorcycle crash near the Second Pond boat launch on state Route 3 led to a major emergency response Friday afternoon, shutting down the main travel corridor between Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake for a helicopter to land on the road to transport the injured rider to a hospital.

Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department Head Driver Rick Yorkey said the crash happened around 1:10 p.m. The road was closed on both ends by firefighters as State Police took measurements to analyze the scene. State Route 3 reopened at 5:52 p.m.

Initial reports described the rider as having a head injury and the crash was described as “serious” over the police scanner. The fire department and State Police were not able to verify these details by press time.

The condition of the rider, who was not identified by police or fire officials, was not available by press time.

SLVFD responded with one truck and six members. Firefighters assisted State Police with traffic control and secured a landing zone for a LifeNet helicopter near the bridge.

Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake firefighters closed state Route 3 within their respective towns. The Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department stationed three members at the state route 3 and 30 intersection and two at the intersection of state Route 3 and county Route 45, Panther Mountain Road.

Traffic was rerouted to a less-traveled route through Fish Creek. Shortly after this, a crash was reported on state Route 30 near Follensby Clear Pond in the Fish Creek area. The TLVFD and Tupper Lake Volunteer Ambulance and Emergency Squad responded to this crash.

TLVFD Chief Royce Cole said a FedEx van driver swerved to miss deer in the roadway and the van overturned on its side in a ditch. There were no injuries, Cole said. TLVFD responded with five members and two more from the department’s Santa Clara substation.

There was also a reported two-car crash on the corner of St. Bernard Street and River Street shortly after that. The Lake Placid Volunteer Ambulance Service responded to this crash.

During this time, the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad was also responding to a medical emergency call at Paul Smith’s College.

The Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department stood by with eight members at the station in Lake Placid, ready to assist Saranac Lake emergency services if they needed, because of the high volume of calls on Friday afternoon. Lake Placid firefighters said they started the mutual aid standby at 1:51 p.m. and were back in service at 3:07 p.m.