29/May/2020 – Fatal MVC with entrapment – “B” Shift

Incident # 20-03505 – A 35 year old Walterboro man died from injuries sustained in a single vehicle MVC on Lodge Hwy (SC Hwy 217) at the Bamberg County Line Friday morning 29-May. The accident was reported at 10:14, but is believed to have occurred around 07:30. The vehicle was difficult to see from the roadway. It appeared the 1998 Toyota 4Runner was traveling south on Lodge Hwy, when it crossed the over to the northbound side of the roadway and crashed in the creek. The vehicle cleared the creek and struck the concrete abutment on the southbound side of the creek. It then overturned in the water trapping the driver. It was approximately 12 feet below grade. The small SUV suffered heavy damage. A passing motorist reported the accident to Colleton 9-1-1 Dispatchers who sent Responders to the scene. Firefighter-Paramedics found the man inside the vehicle without any signs of life. He was not wearing a seatbelt. The Coroner’s Office was notified and Coroner Richard Harvey responded to the scene. After he completed his investigation, Firefighters used Holmatro Rescue tools to remove the doors on the passenger side to gain full access to the patient. He remained trapped. A winch and chains were rigged from a tree I near the creek and the car was rolled up several feet to free the driver. He was extricated from the SUV and turned over to the Coroner’s Office. The engine on the SUV was cold and neighbor advised that she believed she heard the crash about 07:30. The SC Hwy Patrol is investigating the accident.  

Engine 7, Engine 18, Rescue 18, Medic 7, Dive 1, Battalion 1, Car 107 and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Brent Dalton served as Incident Commander.