United States (Maryland) - On November 20, 2009 around 22.45 hours the Washington County 9-1-1 center received a call reporting a single vehicle MVA with entrapment and fire on I-70 near the 20-mile marker. Engine 41, Rescue Squad 4 and Medic 49 were dispatched from Clear Spring along with Rescue Engine 22, Engine 24 and Medic 28 from Williamsport. Medic 28 arrived on the scene and reported car well off with three patients out of the car and requested a third due Medic Unit. Engine 41 and Engine 22 arrived shortly thereafter later and Clear Spring Lt. Frank Kimble assumed I-70 Command. A rapid assessment was made and it was determined that there were three patients total. Two Priority 1 Category C and possible refusal. Engine 41 attacked the fire while the crew from Engine 22 assisted EMS with patient care. Extinguishment was hampered by a broken fuel line on the 1997 Lexus which created a running fire. Engine 22 joined in the attack when Engine 41 began running low on water and another Engine Company was requested. Maryland State Police who were in the area at the time of dispatch and a truck driver had pulled the entrapped female passenger, in her 40’s, out of the burning vehicle prior to the arrival of Fire and EMS equipment. The driver, the 16-year-old male and son of the other occupant, was found lying on the ground next to the burning vehicle and was pulled out of harms way. The truck driver, who was exhausted from his heroic efforts, was checked by the third due Medic Unit from Halfway Fire Co. to insure he was OK. He refused transport to the hospital. The female patient suffered from leg, arm and head injuries while the driver was believed to have a crushed hip and other injuries. Both the son and mother were transported to the Washington County Hospital Trauma Center and then transferred to Shock Trauma in Baltimore Police said the 16 year old driver was driving a 1997 Lexus with his mother in the front passenger seat. Witnesses told police that an unidentified vehicle might have changed lanes in front of the Lexus, causing the driver to take evasive action and lose control of the vehicle. All hazards were mitigated and Command terminated at 00:12 hours.

Written and photos by Michael Main