10/14/2011 – MVC with entrapment & Air evacuation – “A” Shift

Incident # 11-05557 – An early morning MVC  sent two people to area hospitals. The accident occurred on Cottageville Highway (US Hwy17-A) just south of Round O Road. At 02:21 Friday morning 14-October, a south bound Trans Am left the roadway and flipped over several times landing on its roof in the woods on the north bound side of the highway. The “T” tops had been removed from the car and both occupants were wearing seatbelts. A male front seat passenger was able to self extricate and suffered only minor injuries. The female driver who stated she fell asleep, was trapped in the vehicle, when her arm became lodged under the vehicle, pinned to the ground by the “T” Top support brace. Firefighters found the car upside down with heavy damage. After stabilizing the vehicle, Firefighter-Paramedics entered the car and began treating the woman, which included bandaging, IVs and pain medications. Crewmembers used Holmatro high pressure air bags under the trunk and driver’s side “B” pillar to lift the vehicle enough to free her arm.

Engine 19 set up a landing zone in a large yard in the 13000 block of Round O Road. The woman was immobilized on a long spine board and transported by Medic 19 to the LZ to meet with the Lifenet 4 helicopter. They flew the patient to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston. The male passenger was treated at the scene for minor traumatic injuries and then transported by Medic 9 to Colleton Medical Center. He was later released. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 9, Engine 19, Medic 9, Medic 19, rescue 1, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Battalion Chief Brent Dalton served as Incident Commander.