The Colleton County Fire Rescue Department, established in 1994, provides emergency services to an immense response area, covering 1,132 square miles. Operating from 31 fire stations located in the South Carolina Lowcountry, the agency holds an ISO Class 4 rating. The staff is comprised of 250 volunteer firefighters, supported by 72 cross-trained career personnel. Fire-Rescue operates a fleet of 107 vehicles including 34 engines, 34 tenders, eleven ambulances, two tower ladders, one Hazardous Materials/Command Vehicle and one ARFF truck. As their district includes hundreds of miles of two-lane, rural, country roads and highways, they respond to a large number of motor vehicle accidents, many of which are in remote areas and require extensive extrications to free the occupants.
Colleton County Fire Chief Barry McRoy has submitted images from a recent event that occurred this past weekend.
A 22 year old man received multiple traumatic injuries in a single vehicle crash on a hunting club road off of Parkers Ferry Road Saturday evening 19-October. The pickup truck was traveling at a high rate of speed and left the narrow dirt road, entering the woods before it flipped over multiple times. The truck hit several trees, breaking one off at the base, causing heavy damage to the pickup truck. The vehicle came to rest on the passenger side. The driver was trapped inside with his legs crushed between the dash, seat, and floor. The patient was dangling from his position. His father arrived shortly after the accident occurred and was able to hold the patient up until rescuers arrived later to relieve him. The accident occurred approximately five miles into a remote tree farm and then down a narrow dirt road providing access to a hunting club. The vehicle was approximately 75 feet into the woods. Responding units had some difficulty locating the accident in the desolate wooded area. One of the hunters met with Battalion 1 and lead him into the scene. Traffic cones were placed at the head of the road to guide other units to the accident site.
Barry McRoy photo
Barry McRoy photo
Crews initially used a Holmatro Combi-tool from Battalion 1 to begin the extrication. Rescue 1 had an extended arrival time due to the road conditions. Firefighter-Paramedics began treating the patient who was heavily entrapped in the wreckage. Other crewmembers used Holmatro hydraulic tools and a reciprocating saw to remove the roof of the pickup truck. A medical helicopter was placed on standby. Crews used hydraulic spreaders, cutters, and a ram to displace and remove portions of the interior. The bottom of the truck was chained to a tree to stabilize it. Crews eventually were able to rig chains around the steering column to pull it and the dash off of the patient to free him. The extrication took a little over two hours. He was removed to a spine board and placed in Medic 9.
Barry McRoy photo
Barry McRoy photo
Engine 6 and Medic 6 set up a landing zone at the Jacksonboro Baptist Church on Charleston Highway approximately 8 miles from the scene. Medic 9 transported the patient to the church to meet with LifeNet 4. The patient was transferred to the flight crew without incident. Despite his injuries, he was flown in stable condition to the trauma center at MUSC in Charleston. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
Barry McRoy photo
Barry McRoy photo
Barry McRoy photo
Engine 2, Engine 6, Rescue 1, Medic 6, Medic 9, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander.
Barry W. McRoy
Fire Chief
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
