Vehicle Accident Sends Four to Trauma Center

Winter Gardens: On Friday, April 15, 2011, at 11:11 p.m., the Lakeside Fire District received a report of a traffic accident in the intersection of Winter Gardens Blvd and Wintercrest Drive. Initial reports indicated that one of the occupants might be unconscious. Initially, one structural engine, a rescue company, and ALS medic unit were dispatched to the incident.

Fire crews begin working on access to the back seat patient. In this picture the car appears undamaged. In actuality, the trunk of the vehicle had been pushed towards the rear seats.

On the arrival of Engine 1 and Medic 1 (Riverview Station), firefighters located two vehicles with significant damage. The crew initiated triage and identified a total of four patients, all meeting trauma center criteria. A request was made for an additional ALS medic unit and a BLS ambulance. This brought a response from Medic 4 (Santee Fire-Cottonwood Station), and Care Ambulance.

With the removal of the roof complete the patients were removed and transported to the trauma center.

It was soon discovered that two patients would require extrication due to major structural damage to the vehicle. On the arrival of Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station), the decision was made to remove the roof to provide sufficient access for the removal of two patients in the back seat of the vehicle.

After the extrication process was completed, both patients were removed from the vehicle. All four patients were transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital (Trauma Center) for evaluation.

A total of nine Lakeside personnel responded to the incident assisted by two personnel from the Santee Fire Department and two from Care Ambulance Service.

CHP is currently investigating the accident.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District.
Photos By: Battalion Chief Ron Laff and Fire Captain Mark Grow