04/23/2011 – “B” Shift – MVC with entrapment

Incident # 11-02275 – An Islandton teenager was left in critical condition following an MVC on Moselle Road Saturday morning. The high speed single car crash was reported at 09:12, 23-April advising a small car had left the roadway and struck a tree. The caller noted the occupant was trapped. Engine 15 and Medic 18 arrived about 8 minutes later to find the 2006 Saturn Ion with heavy front end damage. The 18 year old driver was unconscious and trapped in the wreckage. The car left the roadway on a straight section of secondary road, struck a large tree stump, then uprooted a small oak tree before hitting a large oak tree head-on. The driver suffered multiple traumatic injuries. Medic 18 requested a medical helicopter, however due to poor weather conditions, none could fly. Firefighters used Holmatro Rescue Tools to remove the driver’s door, sever the “A” post and make a relief cut in the unibody frame. A large hydraulic ram was used to displace the dash off of the patient to free him. The patient was treated during the extrication and required continuous suctioning to keep his airway clear.

He was extricated with full spinal precautions, then placed in Medic 18. Due to the airway problems, Firefighter-Paramedics performed RSI on the patient prior to transporting the 23 miles to Colleton Medical Center.

The Colleton ED staff went right to work on his arrival at the hospital. He was stabilized at the ED. After approximately 2 hours the weather had improved. Lifenet 3 responded to CMC and flew the patient to the Trauma Center at MUSC. He remained in critical condition.  The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 15, Rescue 1, Rescue 18, Squad 23, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Lt. Rodney Murdaugh served as Incident Commander.

04/24/2011 – “B” Shift – High Speed MVC

Incident # 11-02299 – A single car high speed MVC on Interstate 95 near the 49 mile marker south bound, injured a family of five Sunday morning 24-April at 01:55. The family was traveling to Disney World when their small car left the roadway and struck a tree. The car received heavy front end damage. The 30 year old stepfather was driving the vehicle and suffered multiple traumatic injuries as well as a head injury. A 7 year old boy who was seat belted in the back seat also suffered multiple traumatic injuries. The children’s 25 year old pregnant mother was a front passenger. She received minor injuries. Two other children (20 months and 3 years old), who were in child safety seats suffered only minor injuries. No medical helicopters could fly due to heavy fog.  All patients were transported to Colleton Medical Center by Medic 1 and Medic 19. The hospital staff stabilized the two critical patients, then both were transferred by Medic 1 and Medic 19 to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston. The 7 year old went straight to surgery after arrival. The mother was admitted to Colleton Medical Center. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 1, Medic 1, Medic 19, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Battalion Chief Ben Heape served as Incident Commander.