21/October/2015 – Fatal MVC with Entrapment – “C” Shift

Incident # 15-06135 - An 81 year old North Carolina woman died from injuries received in a high speed single vehicle crash on I-95 near the 40 mile marker southbound, Wednesday afternoon 21-October. Hampton County emergency units were originally dispatched to the incident which occurred within 200 feet of the county line. The initial caller reported one person was trapped, so Hampton County requested mutual aid from Colleton. When units from both agencies arrived, the accident was found to be actually in Colleton County. Hampton County EMS personnel were evaluating the 83 year old driver and husband of the injured woman. He suffered minor injuries and denied ambulance transportation to the hospital. Apparently, the Chrysler mini-van left the Interstate, drove down an embankment where it struck several trees in the swamp. The passenger, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered multiple traumatic injuries and was trapped in the wreckage. The majority of the damage was to the front and passenger side of the van. Firefighter-Paramedics used winches from two QRVs to stabilize the van. Crews from both Hampton and Colleton used Holmatro Rescue tools to remove the passenger side door and extricate the patient. The Colleton County Coroner’s Office transported her. Fire-Rescue personnel brought the driver and the family dog to a motel in Walterboro to await family members.

The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Despite one travel lane remaining open, traffic on the southbound side of I-95 backed up for over eight miles.

Engine 13, Medic 13, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 107, Car 110, Car 111, Car 117 responded. Battalion Chief Ben Heape served as Incident Commander. Hampton County Engine 95, Tender 98, Rescue 3 and an EMS unit responded.