03/20/2011 – “A” Shift – Fatal MVC with entrapment

Incident # 1-01622 – A two car collision has left one woman with fatal injuries and sent a man to Colleton Medical Center with traumatic injuries. The accident was reported at 21:16, Sunday evening 20-March. Apparently a Chevrolet pickup stuck a small car in the passenger side doors causing both vehicles to go down a 12 foot embankment. The small car came to rest on the passenger side trapping both occupants. They were wearing seatbelts.  The pickup truck began to flip over, but struck several trees causing heavy damage to the truck and displacing the roof into the interior. Both female occupants were able to safely exit the truck on their own. Engine 9 and Medic 9 arrived about 10 minutes later. Both occupants of the truck initially refused medical treatment. A Firefighter-Paramedic was able to enter the over-turned car and began treating the injured inside the car. Access to the female passenger was limited, but she had no apparent signs of life. Firefighters stabilized the vehicle and quickly began removing the roof. A reciprocating saw was used to cut the windshield and “C” post, while Holmatro Rescue Tools were used to cut the “A” and “B” posts.

The roof was folded down to provide access to the occupants. The male driver was immobilized and removed from the vehicle. The female passenger was verified to have no signs of life. The Coroner’s Office was then notified. Medic 9 transported the man to Colleton Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the truck did eventually allow Firefighter-Paramedics to evaluate her, but she did not wish to be transported to the hospital. Traffic at the intersection was completely blocked for four hours while the Highway Patrol’s MAIT (Accident Reconstruction Team) investigated the crash.

Engine 9, Engine 11, Medic 9, Medic 19, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 118 responded. Firefighter Troy Millen served as Incident Commander.