“A” Shift – Multi-vehicle MVC / Entrapment & Air Evacuation

Run # 10-05827 - Southbound I-95 at the 53 mile marker became a parking lot Sunday evening 24-October following a five vehicle collision that blocked both lanes. At approximately 2103, a covered utility trailer being pulled by an older model full size Chevrolet Blazer, broke away from the Blazer. According to the driver, they were moving from Virginia to Florida. When the trailer came loose, the safety chains snapped causing the fully loaded trailer to crash in the median side lane. A second vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, collided with the fully loaded trailer, spreading debris  around the site. The vehicle then lost control, spun around backwards and entered the median striking several trees. The small car received heavy damage, but fortunately both occupants only received minor injuries. A third vehicle, a Subaru Outback, also struck the trailer, but attempted to brake hard to avoid the collision. The Outback was struck in the rear by a southbound tractor trailer causing extensive damage. The Outback was pushed into a Ford F-350 pickup truck, that then skidded off the right hand shoulder. It’s three occupants were not injured. The Outback overturned in the travel lanes trapping the front seat passenger.

The tractor trailer received heavy front-end damage resulting in breaks for the cooling and transmission systems. The truck spilled large quantities of transmission fluid and antifreeze approximately 1/8 mile before he could stop the vehicle. Southbound traffic came to a standstill, as motorists were unable to pass the accident.

Engine 1 worked its way around the backed up traffic to arrive four minutes after the dispatch, finding the road blocked by damaged vehicles and debris from the trailer. The Outback was on its side in the center of the travel lane, with the remains of the trailer on the median shoulder. A quick assessment noted four injured people from two vehicles, with one person trapped. The trapped female had serious multiple traumatic injuries, while the remaining people received moderate to minor injuries. Two additional Medic units were assigned to the incident. Rescue 1 stabilized the car and performed the extrication. Firefighter-Paramedics evaluated the woman, then called for a medical helicopter for transport to a trauma center. Omniflight-Charleston responded, landing at the scene  south of the accident. She was flown to MUSC in Charleston and was undergoing emergency surgery Sunday night. Her husband was later transported to Colleton Medical Center where he was treated and released. The two people in the Blazer and the truck driver were not injured. The southbound lanes were closed for nearly two hours. Most traffic was able to exit onto Sniders Highway (SC Hwy 63) at Exit 53.  SCHP, Sheriff’s Office and Walterboro Police responded. SCHP is investigating the crash.

Engine 1, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Medic 19, Medic 26, Car 11 and Car 12 responded. Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander. Captain Scott Feather served as LZ coordinator.