23/February/2013 – MVC with entrapment – “A” Shift

Incident # 13-00997 – A high speed single car MVC has left a 23 year old Ohio man in critical condition. The accident was reported at 06:17 on I-95 near mile marker 62 southbound, Saturday morning 23-February. The southbound 1999 Mercedes left the roadway in heavy rains. The car spun around backwards and struck three trees on the driver’s side causing approximately 2-1/2 feet of intrusion into the passenger compartment. The driver was trapped in the wreckage by the door and roof which was crushed around him. Firefighter-Paramedics worked diligently for 35 minutes to extricate the man. They used Holmatro Hydraulic Tools to remove the roof and two Hydraulic Rams to push the driver’s side doors off of the patient to free him. He was extricated with full spinal precautions, treated at the scene and rapidly transported to Colleton Medical Center for further treatment. No medical helicopters could fly due to severe thunderstorms. The  man was stabilized in the ED, then transferred by Medic 26 to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston.

The LifeNet 4 Flight Crew, who is based at Colleton Medical Center, assisted in the ground transport.

Engine 26, Medic 26, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Scott Feather served as Incident Commander.