23/November/2012 – Tractor Trailer MVC – “B” Shift

Incident # 12-06388 - A truck driver was lucky to be alive following a crash on Interstate 95 at the 55 mile marker northbound Friday morning 23-November at 04:06. The 68 year old driver, who reportedly had never been involved in an accident during his career, left the roadway just north of the 55 mile marker. His rig struck the guard rail, taking out the majority of the safety device before plummeting down an embankment into the creek. The entire load of bottled water was propelled through the front of the trailer into the creek and creek bed. Some of the load hit the back of the cab, crushing the sleeper unit and knocking the roof off of the truck. The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt received non-life threatening traumatic injuries. The cab also suffered heavy damage from the impact with the creek bed and several trees. The truck came to rest on a small island between two branches of the creek supplying the west side of the Great Swamp Sanctuary. County Firefighters and Law Enforcement initially had difficulty reaching the driver, but used bolt cutters to break into the trailer. 

With the load no longer being in the trailer and the front portion torn off, the trailer provided a bridge to access the area were the driver was located. He was extricated from the cab and immobilized, then carried by stokes basket up the embankment. He was transported by Medic 1 to Colleton Medical Center. Wrecker crews worked until 12 noon to remove the truck from the creek. An private environmental team responded to the scene to clean up diesel fuel that leaked into the creek. They remained on the scene through the afternoon. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 1, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Acting Battalion Chief (Firefighter-Paramedic) Steven Scurry served as Incident Commander.