01/October/2013 – School Bus MVC w/entrapment & Air Evac – “B” Shift

Incident # 13-05339 – An adult female was severely injured in a School Bus accident Tuesday morning 01-October in the 2600 block of Pearce Road north of Cottageville. Fire-Rescue was notified of the incident at 06:08. Apparently the northbound bus crossed into the southbound lane, entered the ditch and struck several trees. The bus did not appear to be traveling at a high rate of speed. The collision caused the roof over the cab to be crushed down on the driver, trapping her in the wreckage. The bus received heavy damage. There were not any children aboard the bus. Firefighter-Paramedics were able to access the patient through the rear door and began treatment of her injuries. Other crew members forced the folding side door open, then used Holmatro Rescue Tools to free the driver. A Hydraulic Ram  was utilized to push the steel roof off of the patient. The steering wheel was then cut to relieve pressure on the driver. Heavy duty chains were then run from the bus’s frame and around the steering column. A Hydraulic Spreader was connected to the chains and used to pull the column off of the patient. After about 45 minutes, she was extricated with full spinal precautions and moved to Medic 9. The LifeNet 4 medical helicopter landed in a field at the Cottageville Elementary School 1-1/2 miles south of the scene. Fire-Rescue transported the patient to the school, She was flown to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. 

Engine 9, Engine 19, Rescue 1, Medic 9, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 111 responded. Lieutenant Andy Sahlman served as Incident Commander. Lieutenant Michael Banks served as LZ Coordinator.