05/29/2011 – MVC with entrapment & air evacuation – “B” Shift

Incident # 11-02962 - A two vehicle high speed MVC on Cottageville Highway (US Hwy 17-A) left four people injured, two critically Sunday afternoon, 29-May. The accident occurred at 16:57 at the intersection of Merrick Drive. A southbound Toyota reportedly suffered a blowout causing the vehicle to veer into the northbound lane striking a mini-van head-on. Two occupants of the Toyota received critical multi-trauma injuries, with the driver being trapped in the wreckage. One person in the mini-van and a third patient in the Toyota received non-life threatening injuries. The front seat passenger from the Toyota was already out of the vehicle when crews arrived. He was immobilized and treated at the scene by Medic 9. Two medical helicopters were called to the scene. Lifenet 3 responded, landing on Round O Road approximately 2 miles from the accident site. The second helicopter, Lifenet 1, was canceled due to an extended ETA. Omniflight-Charleston was already assigned to a second MVC on ACE Basin Parkway in southern Colleton County.

The female driver of the Toyota, who was four months pregnant, was heavily entrapped. Firefighters used Holmatro Rescue Tools to remove the driver’s door and two hydraulic Rams to displace the dash off of the driver. She was treated during the 20 minute extrication, which included IVs and medications. The patient was immobilized and extricated onto a long spine board, then transported 44 miles to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston by Medic 19. Medic 1 transported one patient to Colleton Medical Center. Traffic on Cottageville Highway was completely blocked for over an hour. The Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 9, Engine 19, Medic 1, Medic 9, Medic 19, Rescue 1, Car 117 and Car 118 responded. Captain Scott Feather served as Incident Commander, with Lt. Andy Sahlman serving as LZ Coordinator.