MVA Vehicle Rollover with Subject Pinned Inside
 
By Asst. Chief Danny Beauvais
April 3, 2014
 

@ 15:13 Shepherds was alerted to assist Troutman with a MVA vehicle rollover on I-77 SB @ the 43mm. Moments later Troutman Engine 1, Chief 100 & Shepherds Rescue 5 were on the road responding. Minutes later Rescue 5 traveling Northbound came up on the wreck which was indeed Southbound @ the 43 under the bridge. Chief 515 (Beauvais) directed Rescue 5 operator Capt 550 (Craver) to stop and check same out. 515 advised of a 2 car MVA with one pickup on it's top "Caved In." And would be checking on injuries. (Now under normal circumstances it is not good practice to stop on the other side of the interstate due to having to travel from one side of the interstate to the other but the Southbound lanes were at a standstill.) After investigating witnesses who were already on scene advised of a pt still trapped inside of same. Chief 515 quickly confirmed & radioed in to ECOM of a "Pin-In." Moments later Chief 100 & Engine 1 arrived on location with 100 now 77 Command. Personnel on scene were faced with a pickup truck which was completely caved in at the passenger compartment sitting evenly on the ground from the engine compartment to the bed. The only thing visible to personnel was the pt's foot that they could see through a gap in the door panel. The pt was conscious and alert but complained of difficulty breathing. With extra manpower needed Command requested Mooresville Engine 5 to the scene. With Engine 5 coming personnel on scene commenced extrication efforts. OIC (J.Troutman) of Engine 1 came up with the plan of seeing if personnel could pop the drivers side door. In order to perform this maneuver personnel on scene with the assistance from additional Shepherds personnel had to raise the pickup a few inches off the ground. This task was completed utilizing various pieces of cribbing and the spreaders from Engine 1 & the cutters from Rescue 5. Once complete the driver side door was opened and better access to the pt was made. Med-Center Air was contacted and arrived on location as soon as the "Pt free transmission was declared within 14 minutes from the initial confirmed pin-in. Mooresville Engine 5 arrived on location but was released shortly after with thanks. Pt care was transferred over to Med-Center Air as personnel began picking up before being released. All units were back in normal service within 35 minutes. This was Troutman & Shepherds 2nd day straight of I-77 MVA incidents involving another flyout & Shepherds 2nd MVA of the day.

**Note: Excellent job done by all personnel from Troutman. Both departments worked very well together in achieving one goal in freeing the pt. Thanks once again guys & to Mooresville Engine 5 C-Shift it's better to have called for you then release you than need and not call. **

**Photo's Courtesy Of T.Conley**