05/January/2013 – MVC w/Fire, ejection & Air Evac – “C” Shift

Incident # 13-00078 – A single car MVC left one man in critical condition Saturday evening 05-January. The accident occurred at 22:27 in the 4800 block of Sniders Highway (SC Hwy 63) near the intersection of Cane Street. A west bound pickup truck left the roadway at a high rate of speed, crossed the east bound lane and struck a power pole. The pole was broken into three pieces as the truck burst into flames and came to rest near the wood line. Witness advised they saw a person running west from the accident scene. Engine 1 arrived minutes later to find the vehicle fully involved. Firefighters deployed one 1-3/4 handline to extinguish the fire. No patients were found inside the remains of the smoldering truck. Firefighters and Sheriff’s Deputies searched the area with flashlights and one Thermal Imaging Camera. About 25 minutes later, an approximately 30 year old male was found unconscious approximately 35 feet east of the accident, 15 feet into the woods.  It was suspected that he was ejected from the vehicle. 

Firefighter-Paramedics quickly treated and immobilized the man who was also suffering from hypothermia due to the near freezing temperatures. He received multiple IVs, as crewmembers requested a medical helicopter. Medic 1 rapidly transported the man to the helipad at Colleton Medical Center with additional Firefighter-Paramedics on board, to meet with LifeNet 4. The Flight Crew RSIed the patient prior to transport. He was transferred to the helicopter without incident, then flown to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 1, Medic 1, Car 109 and Car 118 responded. Firefighter-EMT Andy O’Quinn served as Incident Commander.