01/12/2011 – “C” Shift – MVC with Air Evacuation

Incident # 11-00232 – Bystanders pulled a 77 year old truck driver to safety following a single vehicle MVC in the 24500 block of Augusta Highway (SC Hwy 61) Wednesday morning 12-January at 10:02. The loaded log truck was traveling eastbound when it left the roadway, struck two separate driveway culverts before overturning and catching fire. The load of logs were propelled forward causing extensive damage to the cab. The rear wheel assembles were knocked off of the truck in the collision. Engine 9 and Medic 9 arrived the find the fully involved cab in the ditch in front of the Edisto Pentecostal Holiness Church. The driver had been pulled to a location near the church building. Medic 9’s crew began treating his multiple traumatic injuries. A medical helicopter was called to the scene as well as additional tenders for water supply. Firefighters deployed one 1-3/4 handline to extinguish the fire. Augusta Highway was blocked for about 20 minutes during the firefighting effort and was then opened to only one lane for approximately 3 hours until the site could be cleared. Omniflight-Charleston responded to a field about ½ mile from the scene. They flew the patient to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston.

Engine 5, Engine 9, Tender 5, Tender 19, Medic 9 and Battalion 1 responded. Captain Ethan Shieder served as Incident Commander. Battalion Chief Dan Barb was LZ Coordinator.