23/October/2019 – MVC with Air Evac – “B” Shift

Incident # 19-07442 - Two men were critically injured following a head-on collision on Thunderbolt Dr and Tuskegee Airman Dr Wednesday morning 23-October at 09:17. A southbound loaded log truck collided with a northbound GMC Dump Truck in the intersection. The log truck overturned spilling the load of logs in the roadway. One log penetrated the cab and possibly struck the driver. The northbound dump truck was flipped backwards and caught fire. Several workers who were on break at the nearby Floralife factory heard the crash and ran to the scene. One worker was able to get the passenger door of the dump truck open and pull the injured driver out of the burning truck, saving his life. Bystanders also pulled the log truck driver to safety. Fire-Rescue units arrived minutes later to find Thunderbolt Dr completely blocked by the wreckage and logs. The cab of the dump truck was fully involved. A second Fire-Rescue Ambulance was requested as well as two medical helicopters. C.A.R.E. Flight was unavailable due to being on another response. Meducare responded from Charleston and the next available helicopter was cancelled due to a long ETA. Both patients were quickly treated by Firefighter-Paramedics and an off-duty nurse at the scene. The driver of the dump truck was rapidly transported to the Trauma Center at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston by Fire-Rescue Medic 19. Medic 26 transported the driver of the log truck to the Lowcountry Regional Airport to meet with Meducare. The patient was transferred to the Flight Crew without incident, then flown to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston. Crews used one 1-3/4 handline to extinguish the dump truck. The SC Highway Patrol and State Transport Police are investigating the accident. The road remained blocked for several hours.

Engine 19, Engine 26, Medic 19, Medic 26, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Car 104, Car 105, Car 107, Car 112, Car 118 and Car 119 responded. Battalion Chief Joey Campbell served as Incident Commander.