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Posted December 11, 2007 EST
Airbag Deployed Two Hours After Crash Injuring A Firefighter
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United States (South Carolina) -
Colleton County Fire-Rescue responded to a single vehicle, high speed MVC in the 6000 block of Sidneys Road Friday 7-December, at 18:06. Apparently, the 2007 Cadillac left the right shoulder, overcorrected and lost control. The vehicle spun around and began to flip over as it left the roadway a second time striking a pine tree roof first.
The impact bent the vehicle around the tree and drove the roof and dashboard into the floor. The twisted car came to rest on the driver’s side. The elderly driver was heavily entrapped in the wreckage with most of his lower body crushed between the dash and the floor. His upper body was trapped between the tree, roof and seats, with his head being pinned between the "A" and "B" posts. He was wearing a seatbelt.
Firefighter-Paramedics used an Ajax Tool to cut away the roof panel and gain access to the patient to begin treatment. Other crews used Holmatro Rescue tools to begin the slow process of extricating the driver. Due to the position of the vehicle and the nature of the entrapment, movement caused the man a great deal of pain. It is remarkable that he survived the crash.
IV lines were established and pain medications administered. After stabilization, small portions of the vehicle were cut away to relieve stress on the patient as Firefighter-Paramedics diligently worked from both sides of the vehicle to free the man. Two sets of hydraulic rescue tools were used during the extended extrication as well as multiple hand tools. The challenging extrication took over 2 hours. The patient went into cardiac arrest shortly after being placed in an ambulance. He was transported to Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro by Fire-Rescue Medic 19 where he died of his injuries.
One Firefighter-EMT was injured when the steering wheel airbag deployed nearly 2 hours into the extrication. The steering wheel was not visible or assessable to firefighters during the extrication and had been pushed into the floor. The force of the deployment struck the Firefighter in the arm and face, knocking him completely out of the vehicle.
Fire-Rescue Medic 9 transported him with a suspected broken arm to Colleton Medical Center. This was the seventh motor vehicle fatality in Colleton County within 5 days. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating to determine if alcohol was a factor in the collision.
Engine 1901, Rescue 105, Battalion 1, Truck 12, Medic 19 and Medic 9 responded. Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander.
The impact bent the vehicle around the tree and drove the roof and dashboard into the floor. The twisted car came to rest on the driver’s side. The elderly driver was heavily entrapped in the wreckage with most of his lower body crushed between the dash and the floor. His upper body was trapped between the tree, roof and seats, with his head being pinned between the "A" and "B" posts. He was wearing a seatbelt.
Firefighter-Paramedics used an Ajax Tool to cut away the roof panel and gain access to the patient to begin treatment. Other crews used Holmatro Rescue tools to begin the slow process of extricating the driver. Due to the position of the vehicle and the nature of the entrapment, movement caused the man a great deal of pain. It is remarkable that he survived the crash.
IV lines were established and pain medications administered. After stabilization, small portions of the vehicle were cut away to relieve stress on the patient as Firefighter-Paramedics diligently worked from both sides of the vehicle to free the man. Two sets of hydraulic rescue tools were used during the extended extrication as well as multiple hand tools. The challenging extrication took over 2 hours. The patient went into cardiac arrest shortly after being placed in an ambulance. He was transported to Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro by Fire-Rescue Medic 19 where he died of his injuries.
One Firefighter-EMT was injured when the steering wheel airbag deployed nearly 2 hours into the extrication. The steering wheel was not visible or assessable to firefighters during the extrication and had been pushed into the floor. The force of the deployment struck the Firefighter in the arm and face, knocking him completely out of the vehicle.
Fire-Rescue Medic 9 transported him with a suspected broken arm to Colleton Medical Center. This was the seventh motor vehicle fatality in Colleton County within 5 days. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating to determine if alcohol was a factor in the collision.
Engine 1901, Rescue 105, Battalion 1, Truck 12, Medic 19 and Medic 9 responded. Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander.
Written and photos by Fire Chief Barry McCroy
