05/August/2013 – MVC with Air Evacuation – “C” Shift

Incident # 13-04271 – A high speed  single vehicle MVC blocked the northbound lanes of I-95 and sent two people to the hospital Monday afternoon, 05-August. The accident was reported at 13:38 after the small SUV drove into the median, over-corrected and flipped over at least eight times near the 51 mile marker. The car caught fire following the crash with the passenger still inside. The driver stated he fell asleep. The SUV received heavy damage and scattered debris over the northbound lanes. Bystanders extinguished the fire with a portable fire extinguisher, possibly saving the woman. The car came to rest on its roof blocking one lane of traffic. Two off-duty Paramedics were among several people who stopped to assist the two injured people. The 29 year old male driver suffered multiple non-life threatening injuries. The 29 year old female passenger was still inside the over-turned car with one of the Paramedics providing care when Colleton Firefighter-Paramedics arrived. Due to leaking gasoline inside the car, the patient was quickly immobilized and removed from the car on a long spine board. She suffered multiple critical traumatic injuries. A medical helicopter was requested, which brought LifeNet 4 to the site. The helicopter landed on I-95 just north of the accident.

The female was stabilized at the scene, then flown to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston. Other crews immobilized and treated the male patient. He was transported to Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro. Northbound I-95 was closed for over 30 minutes Causing traffic to back up several miles. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 1, Medic 1, Medic 13, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 105, Car 110, Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander.