Stations 1 and 27 responded to a high speed single car MVC on I-95 at the 49 mile marker northbound at 1253 Monday 17-May. The small mini-van left the roadway in blinding rain before striking several pine trees. The vehicle suffered heavy damage when the driver’s door took the brunt of the impact, then rolled onto the passenger side. The high speed collision resulted in 3-1/2 feet of intrusion into the passenger space and displaced the steering column to the center of the vehicle. The impact broke a pine tree in half. The Virginia driver who was wearing a seat belt was heavily entrapped in the vehicle. Her son who was riding with her and was also wearing a seat belt, escaped with only minor injuries. A medical helicopter was requested during a break in the rain. Lifenet 3 responded. Firefighter-Paramedics stabilized the vehicle with step cribbing allowing one person to enter the van to begin treating the woman. Exterior crewmembers used a Holmatro hydraulic cutter to sever the exposed door hinges and the Nader bolt freeing the door. Holmatro hydraulic spreaders were used to dislodge the door which was crushed into the door frames. Once removed, Firefighter-Paramedics could access the patient. She received multiple fractures and wounds to her lower legs and her left foot was crushed between the door frame and the floor.

The hydraulic spreader was used to spread the two pieces of metal apart to free her foot. She was extricated onto a long spine board and moved to Medic 27.

Heavy rains began a second time during the extrication which took 35 minutes to complete. The helicopter had to divert to the Lowcountry Regional Airport and was unable to transport the patient. The decision was made to ground transport her to the Trauma Center at MUSC, however her condition deteriorated enroute approximately 15 minutes into the transport. Medic 27 diverted to Colleton Medical Center.

Engine 1, Rescue 1, Medic 27, Car 12, Car 111, Car 11 responded. Asst. Chief David Greene served as Incident Commander.