12/July/2014 – Fatal MVC with entrapment & Air Evac

Incident # 14-04109 – A Ritter teenager passed away from injuries sustained in a single vehicle crash in the Hendersonville Community, Saturday afternoon 12-July. At 16:39, Fire-Rescue was notified of the accident which occurred in front of 7312 Hendersonville Highway just north of Black Creek Road. It appeared the north bound 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck failed to negotiate a curve. The truck entered a wooded area, then crossed Oscar Road before uprooting a tree. The truck then struck a large Magnolia tree which caused it to break into three separate pieces. The 19 year old driver was unconscious and trapped in the wreckage. Neighbors arrived quickly at the scene, which littered two yards and the highway with debris. They attempted to assist the driver, but could not gain access to him due to the damage.  

Firefighter-Paramedics arrived minutes later and closed the highway. They found the patient trapped, unconscious, but breathing inside the remains of the cab. A medical helicopter was placed on standby. Crews used two Holmatro Rescue Cutters to sever the driver’s side roof supports and one passenger side roof support. The roof was pulled away to allow for the patient to be safely extricated from the cab.

He was quickly immobilized and rapidly transported to Colleton Medical Center to meet with LifeNet 4, stationed at CMC.  He was treated enroute to the ED. LifeNet 4 flew the patient to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston where he later passed away. The SC Highway Patrol and Coroner’s Office are investigating the accident. Hendersonville Highway in the area of the accident was closed to traffic for two hours.

Engine 1, Engine 8, Engine 13, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Medic 13, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Brent Dalton served as Incident Commander.