| At 1:30 a.m., LCFC and MICU 87-1 (Uwchlan Ambulance) were dispatched for an automobile accident with reported entrapment on Pottstown Pike in East Nantmeal Township. Shortly after dispatch, Assistant 73, Chief 73, and QRS 73 were all enroute to the scene.
Assistant 73 was the first on-scene and updated the address to the 1700 block of Pottstown Pike. Assistant 73 confirmed the report and advised county that there was one occupant heavily trapped in the vehicle. Assistant 73 assumed Pottstown Pike Command and Chief 73 handled the operations for the extrication.
QRS 73 arrived within eight minutes of dispatch and immediately began patient care on the trapped individual. Rescue 73, with a crew of 6, arrived on-scene shortly thereafter and immediately went to work on extricating the patient. Part of the crew worked to stabilize the vehicle while the other crew members started preparing the hydraulic rescue tools that would be needed for this extrication.
The vehicle had lost control and struck the telephone pole, causing significant damage to the driver side of the vehicle. Not only was there significant damage to the driver’s side door, but the dash also became displaced and contributed to the heavy entrapment of the driver. The crew from Rescue 73 and Engine 73-2 worked relentlessly to free the driver from the vehicle while our QRS personnel and the crew from MICU 87-1 continued with patient care. Crews worked through multiple different extrication methods but were still having difficulty freeing the driver due to the damage and positioning of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, the decision was made to fly a helicopter in order to transport the patient once they were extricated. Engine 73-2 returned to the firehouse and set-up a landing zone for PennSTAR 4. Ultimately, LCFC enlisted the help of a tow truck from Eagle Service Center. The tow truck was already on-scene and the crew was able to utilize the winch from the tow truck in combination with a J hook that was hooked to the driver’s side door to create enough space for the patient to be extricated.
The crew from MICU 87-1 and MICU 187-1 took over patient care and transported the patient to the landing zone that was set-up at the fire station.
The work done in the early morning hours at this extrication was a tremendous collaboration of multiple agencies. Our thoughts are with the patient that was involved in this accident. |
