Mercy Flight’s coordinated response to Friday’s Thruway bus crash showcased training and teamwork, as five helicopters and 17 EMS units aided victims.

PEMBROKE, N.Y. — When disaster strikes, every second counts.

Mercy Flight President Margaret Ferrentino told 2 On Your Side that Friday afternoon’s Thruway bus crash, which killed five people, triggered one of their largest responses ever.

Five helicopters airlifted patients while 17 EMS units transported others on the ground. 

RELATED: State Police: 5 people confirmed dead following Thruway bus crash

Ferrentino praised crews, dispatchers, and off-duty staff who rushed in, calling the response seamless thanks to years of training.

“All I could do up there is, in addition to provider supporters, just pray for the victims and the safety of the first responders, and from where it appears right now, everybody’s safe, everybody’s been taken care of. This is what I spent my career hoping to achieve,” she said.

Ferrentino also says the teamwork among helicopters, ambulances, and off-duty staff shows just how prepared first responders are.

Mercy Flight issued a statement following Friday’s crash, saying in full:

It was a trying afternoon for us. Our hearts go out to all those involved in this afternoon’s tragedy on I-90. We and hundreds of others did the best we could to help lessen the tragedy that occurred. There are too many agencies that did too many heroic works for us to try to name and thank them each specifically. They know who they are and they probably wouldn’t want the publicity anyway.

We just need to take a minute to say that we appreciate each and every one of you that sent prayers to the patients, their families, us and other first responders in fire, EMS and police, and everyone at the many receiving hospitals that tried their best today. Your prayers fuel us in a way that’s hard to describe.

May the powers that be help heal and console all who were affected by this afternoon’s tragedy, including the bus driver who we’re certain is hurting terribly right now.

Again, thank you all. We appreciate you.