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Posted August 21, 2007 EST
Firefighters-Paramedics Worked Diligently To Extricate Driver
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United States (South Carolina) -
Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue responded to a two-vehicle accident on I-95 at the 59-mile marker northbound at 06:40 19-August. A northbound tractor-trailer, traveling at a high rate of speed through a work zone, nearly sideswiped a State Trooper, before striking a painting truck in the rear end. The slow moving paint truck, which was equipped with an impact cushion and lighted arrow board, was twisted in half, over turned, and landed on the right shoulder trapping the driver upside down in the vehicle.
The tractor-trailer burst into flames, spilled a large quantity of diesel fuel on the highway, before crashing into a wooded area off the right shoulder approximately 1/8 mile north of the impact site. It was later determined the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The scene was littered with burning debris, stopping all northbound traffic. Initial reports to 9-1-1 indicated the tractor-trailer was hauling a hazardous chemical, however it was later determined the truck was loaded with fresh avocados. The tractor-trailer driver escaped uninjured.
Engine 2601, Medic 27 and Battalion 1 arrived together and began treatment on the trapped and injured man. Law enforcement began detouring traffic from Exit 57 through Walterboro to US Highway 15. Battalion 1 requested a full structural assignment for the call as well as an additional Medic unit, Haz Mat and additional foam. Firefighters used a chain saw to cut a path through thick woods to reach the burning truck. Rescue 105 was assigned to perform the extrication of the driver from the paint truck. A second alarm was assigned to the call for additional tankers and manpower. Two additional medic units were assigned for rehab.
Firefighting crews used two 1-3/4 hand lines and a deck gun to knock down the heavily involved truck, before beginning foam application on the burning remains of the truck and burning trailer. The front of the trailer was breached allowing the inside product to catch fire. Firefighters were unable to direct water or foam streams on the burning load from the front or rear of the trailer. A track hoe from Wood Brothers Construction Company was transported to the scene to tear the side off of the trailer to allow firefighters access to the burning load.
Meanwhile, Firefighter-Paramedics worked diligently to extricate the driver of the paint truck. He suffered multiple fractures and suspected internal injuries. Personnel stabilized the truck and used Holmatro Rescue tools to cut the man from the vehicle. After a 45-minute extrication, the man was flown to the Medical University of SC's Trauma Center in Charleston (SC) by the Lifestar medical helicopter.
Northbound I-95 was closed to all traffic for 5 hours between Exits 57 and 62.
Engine 101, Engine 2401, Engine 2601, Tanker 103, Tanker 402, Tanker 502, Tanker 1902, Tanker 2602, Haz Mat 1906, Rescue 105, Rescue 1902, Battalion 1, Medic 27, Medic 19, Medic 106, Medic 9, Car 101 responded. Jasper County Engine 8 relocated to Colleton County Station 1 during the incident.
The tractor-trailer burst into flames, spilled a large quantity of diesel fuel on the highway, before crashing into a wooded area off the right shoulder approximately 1/8 mile north of the impact site. It was later determined the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The scene was littered with burning debris, stopping all northbound traffic. Initial reports to 9-1-1 indicated the tractor-trailer was hauling a hazardous chemical, however it was later determined the truck was loaded with fresh avocados. The tractor-trailer driver escaped uninjured.
Engine 2601, Medic 27 and Battalion 1 arrived together and began treatment on the trapped and injured man. Law enforcement began detouring traffic from Exit 57 through Walterboro to US Highway 15. Battalion 1 requested a full structural assignment for the call as well as an additional Medic unit, Haz Mat and additional foam. Firefighters used a chain saw to cut a path through thick woods to reach the burning truck. Rescue 105 was assigned to perform the extrication of the driver from the paint truck. A second alarm was assigned to the call for additional tankers and manpower. Two additional medic units were assigned for rehab.
Firefighting crews used two 1-3/4 hand lines and a deck gun to knock down the heavily involved truck, before beginning foam application on the burning remains of the truck and burning trailer. The front of the trailer was breached allowing the inside product to catch fire. Firefighters were unable to direct water or foam streams on the burning load from the front or rear of the trailer. A track hoe from Wood Brothers Construction Company was transported to the scene to tear the side off of the trailer to allow firefighters access to the burning load.
Meanwhile, Firefighter-Paramedics worked diligently to extricate the driver of the paint truck. He suffered multiple fractures and suspected internal injuries. Personnel stabilized the truck and used Holmatro Rescue tools to cut the man from the vehicle. After a 45-minute extrication, the man was flown to the Medical University of SC's Trauma Center in Charleston (SC) by the Lifestar medical helicopter.
Northbound I-95 was closed to all traffic for 5 hours between Exits 57 and 62.
Engine 101, Engine 2401, Engine 2601, Tanker 103, Tanker 402, Tanker 502, Tanker 1902, Tanker 2602, Haz Mat 1906, Rescue 105, Rescue 1902, Battalion 1, Medic 27, Medic 19, Medic 106, Medic 9, Car 101 responded. Jasper County Engine 8 relocated to Colleton County Station 1 during the incident.
Written and photos by Chief Barry McRoy
