Incident # 23-07507 - At 16:21 a tree company employee became trapped under an approx. 16,000 pound track lift behind 237 Carolina Circle. The large piece of equipment was operating in a wooded area down a deep embankment when it tipped over on uneven ground. The machine fell on an employee trapping him under the machinery. The man received multiple injuries, but was remarkably in stable condition. Firefighter-Paramedics had to carry rescue equipment and cribbing through a yard, down the embankment and into the wooded area. Crews used two sets of Holmatro high pressure lifting bags to first stabilize the machine. The device was cribbed in place, then lifted approx. one and half feet off of the man so he could be extricated. He was treated for his injuries during the process and administered pain medications. then removed from the woods to a waiting ambulance. Fire-Rescue Medic 19 transported the man emergent to the Trauma Center at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston. The extrication took about 35 minutes.
Engine 19, Rescue 1, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1 responded. Battalion Chief Scott O'Quinn served as Incident Commander.
