04/January/2016 – Fatal MVC with entrapment – “C” Shift 

Incident # 16-00061 – A two vehicle MVC in the 700 block of Bells Hwy claimed the life of a 61 year old Walterboro man Monday afternoon 04-January and blocked the busy highway for close to an hour. At 13:27, a Mercury Grand Marquis and a Full-sized Ford Van collided in front of a shopping center. The Marquis was struck in the driver’s side causing approximately 1-1/2 feet of intrusion into the interior. Two front seat passengers received critical injuries and the driver was trapped in the wreckage. The 61 year old driver of the van suffered minor injuries. A private ambulance drove up on the accident and began rendering aid until Fire-Rescue arrived. A second Fire-Rescue ambulance and a medical helicopter were requested. Crews began treating both patients inside the car until they were able to force the passenger side door and extricate the 88 year old female passenger. The driver’s condition quickly deteriorated at the scene. Firefighter-Paramedics rapidly extricated him from the car and performed advanced airway techniques in an effort to save his life. No medical helicopters were available, so both patients were quickly transported the short distance to Colleton Medical Center. The driver went into cardiac arrest as they arrived at the ED. Two ED physicians, a surgeon and multiple medical staff were standing by when Medic 26 arrived.

The hospital staff worked diligently to save the man, while additional personnel worked on the female patient. While the male patient succumbed to his injuries, she was quickly stabilized in the ED, then transported emergent by Medic 26 to the Trauma Center at Trident Medical Center. Medic 1 transported the driver of the van to CMC for evaluation. The Walterboro Police Department is investigating the crash.

Fire-Rescue Medic 1, Medic 26, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 118, Car 105 and Car 107 responded. Walterboro Fire Dept Engine 2 and Engine 3 also responded. Chief McRoy served as Incident Commander.