05/02/2011 – “B” Shift – MVC with entrapment

Incident # 11-02453 – Three people were hospitalized following a single vehicle MVC on I-95 at the 51 mile marker northbound Monday afternoon 2-May at 14:19. A late model 4-door Dodge pickup truck left the roadway at a high rate of speed, struck several trees before it over-turned in the wooded median. Three passengers were able to climb out of the truck, however an adult male was trapped in the wreckage. Firefighter-Paramedics treated an adult female and an infant female for multiple traumatic injuries, then transported both to Colleton Medical Center in Medic 19. A second adult male received only minor injuries and denied medical attention. Engine 1 and Medic 1 crewmembers began treating the trapped man while the extrication took place. A reciprocating saw was used to cut portions of the roof, while Holmatro hydraulic spreaders were used to cut the “A” posts and “B” post. The roof was then folded down to allow the patient to be removed from the truck. He was immobilized and transported to Colleton Medical Center in Medic 1.

Firefighters searched through the debris inside the vehicle for the family’s small dog. After about 10 minutes the unhappy canine was located alive, buried under a great deal of debris. He appeared uninjured and was transported in a Fire Department vehicle to the hospital to be with his family. The child was later flown by medical helicopter (Lifenet 3) from CMC to the Pediatric Trauma Center at MUSC. The man who was trapped in the truck was transferred by ambulance to the Trauma Center at MUSC. A Colleton Medical Center staff member cared for the dog until the family could return to Walterboro to retrieve the animal. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 1, Medic 1, Medic 19, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 118 and Car 119 responded. Battalion Chief Ben Heape served as Incident Commander.