23/April/2014 – MVC with entrapment – “A” Shift

Incident # 14-02542 – A single vehicle accident on I-95 sent two people to the hospital Wednesday afternoon 23-April. At 14:36, Fire-Rescue was dispatched to the 40 mile marker northbound for an over-turned vehicle which was down an embankment. Engine 13 and Medic 13 arrived to find the Ford Pick-up truck lying on the driver’s side with heavy damage approximately 15 feet below the highway. The site was at the county line, but on the Hampton County side of the Combahee River. The accident occurred in the same spot as a tractor trailer accident a few weeks earlier. The previous accident had cleared a path through the woods and knocked down many of the large trees, contributing to lesser damage for this vehicle. Hampton County Fire-Rescue and an EMS unit also responded. The 72 year old driver was partially ejected and was trapped with his head pinned between the crushed roof, “B” post, door and the ground. Colleton Firefighter-Paramedics stabilized the truck while protecting the man’s head. Several careful attempts were made at freeing the man, but the truck would shift and apply pressure on the man’s head. Crews used Holmatro Rescue tools to provide additional space around the man’s head. The tools were then used to lift and stabilize the truck so additional cribbing could be inserted.

Holmatro cutters were used to severe the roof supports, then a reciprocating saw cut away a portion of the roof to allow it to be removed. The extrication took approximately an hour due to the patient’s position. The man was extricated with full spinal precautions and transported to Colleton Medical Center by Fire-Rescue Medic 13. He suffered non-life threatening traumatic injuries. The 72 year old passenger only suffered minor injuries. He was also transported to CMC for evaluation. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

Colleton County Engine 13, Engine 27, Rescue 1, Medic 13, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 107 and Car 110 responded. Hampton County responded with an Engine and Medic unit.