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Three New Yorkers and a large canine were trapped in a minivan after it left the highway and flipped on its side in the morning of 02-December. At 09:23, several callers reported the accident to Colleton County (SC) 9-1-1 operators. The northbound Honda minivan left the roadway at a high rate of speed near the 40-mile marker at the Colleton-Hampton County line.

The vehicle slide down the embankment, uprooted a tree, and rolled over onto the passenger side trapping the three occupants. The exterior of the van was wrapped in vines, making it difficult to see from the highway. Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue Engine 13 arrived to find the car in the swamp along the Combahee River. They reported hearing the occupants banging on the inside of the van.

Firefighter-Paramedics stabilized the van using the winch from Rescue 1, cribbing, and stabilizer jacks. A chain saw was used to remove several small trees and the vines from around the van. Crews were then able to force open the rear hatch to the van. After a few minutes of unloading luggage from the back of the van, personnel were able to access the patients.

The large canine was secured by a male patient and later placed in a dog carrier. Two patients suffered non-life threatening multiple traumatic injuries and were extricated with spinal precautions. The third patient refused treatment and ambulance transportation.

Low angle rigging was used to pulled the patients up the embankment. Hampton County EMS transported one female patient to Colleton Medical Center (CMC). Colleton County Fire-Rescue Medic 13 transported the other female patient to CMC. Northbound traffic was down to a single lane for an hour, causing it to back up for several miles. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 13, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Medic 13, Car 12, Car 105, Car 107, Car 117, Animal Control, and Hampton County EMS responded. Deputy Chief David Greene served as the incident commander.

Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief, Colleton County Fire-Rescue

Barry W. McRoy photo

Barry W. McRoy photo

Barry W. McRoy photo

Barry W. McRoy photo