10/September/2013 – MVC with Entrapment – “C” Shift

Incident # 13-04940 – A Florida man lost his life following a motorhome accident Tuesday afternoon 10-September at 12:10. Initial callers reported the accident in a twenty mile area from the 42 mile marker to the 62 mile marker, which delayed units locating the actual site of the collision. When Engine 26 arrived near the southbound 62 mile marker, they found the large motorhome towing a passenger car in the median, the front portion covered with trees that also blocked the inside travel lane. Witnesses advised the vehicle suffered a tire blowout causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle up rooted and broke off several large pine trees, causing massive damage to the front of the motorhome. The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, was displaced five feet to an area behind the passenger seat. The entire driver’s compartment collapsed trapping the driver and passenger in the wreckage. Firefighter-Paramedics climbed on top of the vehicle. Using an attic ladder, they entered the motorhome through a vent on the roof. As other Fire-Rescue units arrived, IC directed crews with chainsaws to remove smaller downed trees to allow access to the passenger side. The side door had been ripped off during the impact, so Firefighters were able to gain access to the confined area where the passenger was located. They used hand tools to remove debris, cabinets and wiring to free the female passenger. She suffered lower extremity and other traumatic injuries.

She was extricated, then immobilized prior to transport to Colleton Medical Center by Medic 19. Once the passenger was freed, the front crew continued working to extricate the driver from the front passenger side using Holmatro Rescue Tools and reciprocating saws. Interior crews continue to operate on the inside, providing aggressive medical treatment and airway management. Other interior personnel also used Holmatro Rescue Tools and reciprocating saws to tunnel into the patient. A large amount of debris and trees had collapsed on the 70 year old man. He suffered multiple traumatic injuries. A medical helicopter was called to the scene. Firefighter-Paramedics contacted Dr. Ward at Colleton Medical Center and worked closely with the Medical Staff to manage his care. A Sheriff’s Office Unit was sent to the Emergency Department at CMC to pick up a nurse and four units of blood to bring to the scene. Interior crews continued to remove furniture, debris and structural members which pinned the man.  

The LifeNet 4 helicopter landed on the Interstate just south of the accident and the Flight Crew came to the scene to assist with patient care. The ED nurse arrived a short time later and also assisted. Crews worked diligently for over an hour before the man was freed. He went into cardiac arrest shortly after the extrication preventing him from being flown from the scene. He was transported to Colleton Medical Center by Medic 13 with the LifeNet crew and ED nurse assisting with care.