10/January/2018 – Fatal MVC with entrapment & Air Evac – “A” Shift 

Incident # 18-00307 – At 00:17, Wednesday morning 10-January, Colleton 9-1-1 received several reports about a box style truck that had left the roadway and struck several trees near the 43 mile marker northbound. Medic 13 arrived minutes later advising the vehicle had massive damage and several trees were on top of the truck. They had one critical patient outside the vehicle and the driver was unconscious, heavily entrapped in the wreckage. Medic 13 placed the C.A.R.E. Flight helicopter on standby and requested one additional Fire-Rescue ambulance and Rescue. The crew began treating the patients until additional personnel arrived in the rural area. Their first patient, was the passenger of the truck, who suffered multiple traumatic injuries, including severe head trauma. The patient was transported emergent to the helipad at Colleton Medical Center, then transferred to the Flight Crew of C.A.R.E. Flight. He was flown in critical condition to the Trauma Center at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston. The driver of the truck also suffered multiple traumatic injuries. The cab of the Freightliner truck was crushed, with the dash being pushed against the rear wall. The front of the box portion failed, propelling the contents forward on the cab and littering the scene. Firefighter-Paramedics only had access to the patient’s head and one shoulder. They were able to provide advance airway support and ventilate the patient while the extrication was in progress. After approximately 20 minutes, the man went into cardiac arrest. It was impossible to perform chest compressions due to the entrapment and damage to the cab.

The Coroner’s Office was notified and responded to the scene. Crews used reciprocating saws to cut away the cab roof and worked for over two hours to free the man from the crushed cab. Three sets of Holmatro Rescue tools were used simultaneously from the sides and front of the truck. Multiple rams, cutters and spreaders were used in the tedious process of freeing the patient. I-95 was down to one lane for four hours. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 1, Medic 1, Medic 13, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Car 112 and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Scott O’Quinn served as Incident Commander.