“B” Shift - Fatal MVC with entrapment

Alarm # 10-06121 -Two loaded log trucks collided on Lowcountry Highway (US Hwy 21) south of Ruffin at 1631, Tuesday afternoon 9-November, killing one man and blocking the highway for several hours. Stations 1, 4, 18 and 31 responded to the MVC near the intersection of Hydrick Road. Medic 18 arrived to find one over-turned log trailer and a second truck with heavy damage.  It appeared a south bound log truck struck the side of the trailer of another log truck that was pulling onto Lowcountry Hwy. The impact flipped the trailer of the first truck onto its side spilling it’s load of logs onto the highway. The load on the south bound truck was propelled forward crushing the cab. The driver was heavily entrapped and appeared to have been killed instantly. The speed limit in this area is 55 mph. The cab received substantial damage. Medic 18’s crew directed other units to respond in to the scene from the north for better access to the trapped man. Firefighter-Paramedics used hydraulic rescue tools to cut portions of the cab away. The cab was too heavily damaged to free the man.

A logging company who was working nearby brought several pieces of logging equipment to the scene. Their personnel were able to unloaded the trailer and  remove the logs off of the cab. Firefighter-Paramedics then used a variety of Holmatro hydraulic rescue tools and saws to dismantle the cab and free the man’s body for the Coroner’s Office. The driver of the first truck was not injured. Lowcountry Highway (US Hwy. 21) was blocked for several hours. The Highway Patrol and State Transport Police are investigating the crash.

Engine 4, Engine 31, Medic 18, Heavy Rescue 1, Heavy Rescue 18, Battalion 1, Car 11, Car 12, Car 16 and Car 111 responded. Firefighter-Paramedic Janet Laney served as Incident Commander.