09/04/2011 - MVC with ejection & Air Evacuation - "C" Shift

Incident # 11-04809 - An early morning motor vehicle accident sent four people to the hospital Sunday morning 4-Sept at 03:52. A north bound Pontiac Grand Prix left the roadway near the 40 mile marker, went down an embankment and became airborne. Evidence at the scene indicated the vehicle flipped over in mid air before striking three oak trees approximately six feet off the ground. The car was then thrown on its side in the swamp near the Combahee River. A two year girl was ejected from her child safety seat which was crushed during the impact. The vehicle roof was pushed down to the seat and the car had over one foot of intrusion from hitting the tree. The child's father, who received minor injuries, was able to exit the car and frantically searched the wooded area in the darkness. The initial dispatch information indicated there were four people injured, but they could not locate the two year old girl. Fire-Rescue responded with two ambulances, a rescue and several support units.

Just prior to the first ambulance arriving to the remote area, a caller notified 9-1-1 that the father had located the child about 20 feet from the car, but she was unconscious. Medic 1 was the first to arrive and discovered the accident was actually 1/4 mile inside Hampton County. Hampton County authorities were notified and also responded.

Medic 26 and Rescue 1 were cancelled once Hampton units arrived and the child was located.

Colleton County Firefighter-Paramedics quickly began treating the severely injured girl. She was stabilized and rapidly transported to Colleton Medical Center to meet with the Lifenet 4 helicopter. The patient was RSIed to secure her airway prior to the flight. Lifenet 4 flew the patient to the Pediatric Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston. She was in critical condition upon leaving Walterboro. The father was also transported to Colleton Medical

Center by Medic 1. Hampton County EMS transported the mother and a 5 year old girl to Colleton Medical Center. They were in stable condition, treated and later released. Firefighter-EMT Brandon Broach provided the family with transportation to MUSC when they were released from CMC so they could be with the daughter. It appears the two year old was making progress to recovery later in the day Sunday. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 1, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Medic 26, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded.

Hampton County EMS and Yemassee Fire Department also responded. Colleton County Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander.