01/14/2011 – “A” Shift – MVC with Air Evacuation

Incident # 11-00273 – At 06:59, Stations 1 and 26 responded to a high speed MVC involving a Honda Element which struck the side of an empty log truck. The car cleared a curve on the dark rural road and the log truck was across the roadway. The vehicle struck the trailer behind the cab. Engine 26 and Medic 26 arrived to find the small vehicle with heavy front end damage and the female driver entrapped in the wreckage. Rescue 1 and Battalion 1 arrived a few minutes later. Crews assessed the patient who was suffering from multiple traumatic injuries. She was wearing a seatbelt and multiple air bags did deploy. A medical helicopter was requested. Firefighter-Paramedics used Holmatro Rescue Tools to remove the driver’s door, make several relief cuts and hydraulic rams to displace the dash. Due to some complications, the extrication took about 45 minutes. The patient was treated for her injuries in the vehicle and following the extrication. Pain medications were also administered during the extrication. The patient was transported with spinal precautions to a nearby field to meet with Lifenet 1. She was flown to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston. The SC Highway Patrol and State Transport Police are investigating the crash. Traffic on McLeod Road was completely blocked for two hours.