Station 1 responded to a single vehicle accident on Ivanhoe Road near South Jefferies Blvd, Friday afternoon 23-July at 1617. A newer model Chevrolet Pickup Truck left the roadway and went down a small embankment striking a large oak tree head on. The truck received heavy damage. The female driver ,who was wearing a seatbelt, was trapped inside the damaged truck. Shortly after impact the vehicle caught fire. The woman frantically called 9-1-1 while emergency units were still responding advising of the fire. Medic 1 arrived within minutes of the initial call to find the vehicle upright in a swamp with heavy smoke conditions and fire in the engine compartment. The cab was also filled with smoke. Firefighter-Paramedics broke out several windows to allow the smoke to escape and fresh air to enter the cab. One crewmember extinguished the fire with a portable fire extinguisher. They then used a large pry bar from the ambulance to force open the driver’s door and remove the woman to safety. Despite the heavy damage to the truck, she only received minor injuries. Medic 1 treated the woman at the scene and transported her to Colleton Medical Center. Traffic on Ivanhoe Road was rerouted for about 30 minutes. Walterboro Public Safety is investigating the accident.

Medic 1, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Car 12, Walterboro Engine 1 and Walterboro Engine 2 responded. Battalion Chief Brent Dalton served as Incident Commander.