19/March/2013 – MVC with entrapment & Air Evac – “B” Shift

Incident # 13-01455 – A 54 year old truck driver was critically injured in a single vehicle accident on I-95 at the 55 mile marker northbound, Tuesday afternoon 19-March at 14:07. The International flatbed truck left the roadway just before a bridge and entered a wooded area knocking down several trees. The truck received massive damage, which crushed the cab and heavily entrapped the driver. First arriving Firefighter-Paramedics found the truck leaning to the driver’s side well off the roadway, with the driver partially hanging out of the mangled vehicle. A chain saw was used to remove several smaller trees to improve access to the truck. A second Engine and Ambulance were requested for additional personnel and a medical helicopter was placed on standby. Crews stabilized the truck and used multiple Holmatro Rescue Tools to remove the roof, displace the driver’s door and three hydraulic Rams to force the dash off of the man. The extrication took 50 minutes. Firefighter-Paramedics continued to treat the man during the extrication, which included multiple IV lines, bleeding control and pain medications. 

He was removed with full spinal precautions and carried up the embankment to Medic 1. LifeNet 4 flew to the scene and landed on the interstate north of the accident site. Medic 1 transported the patient 1/8 mile to the landing zone and transferred the patient without incident. He was flown to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston where he remained in critical condition. The SC Highway Patrol and State Transport Police are investigating the crash. Traffic on I-95 north was down to one lane for 1-1/2 hours and backed up for several miles.

Engine 1, Engine 26, Medic 1, Medic 26, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 105, Car 107 and Car 118 responded. Deputy Chief David Greene served as Incident Commander.