Vehicle Rescue on Highway 8 Business

Johnstown: On Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 10:08 PM, the Heartland Communications Center dispatched one engine company, one rescue company, and an ALS ambulance and Battalion Chief to the 14000 block of Highway 8 Business for a "rescue vehicle accident" with trapped occupants.

Battalion 1 (Chief Laff) arrived within minutes to find a vehicle on its roof with two occupants inside. SDSO had also arrived and were attempting to communicate with the occupants.

Firefighters had to stabilize the vehicle before operations could begin.

On the arrival of Rescue 3 and Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Station) they determined that the passenger had become entangled in her shoulder belt and it had become wrapped around her neck during the roll-over. Crews immediately breached the vehicle and cut her free of the entanglement.

E26s (Blossom Valley Station) arrived and assisted crews in stabilizing the vehicle and started cutting operations to remove the occupants. After crews had removed the doors they were able to free both occupants. An additional ALS ambulance was requested and both occupants were transported to the Trauma Center at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

Crews begin cutting operations on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Although one of the occupants became entangled in her shoulder belt it was determined that had she not been wearing her seat belt she would have likely been ejected from the car when it overturned.

Eleven Lakeside Firefighters were on-scene during this incident.

Currently the CHP is investigating the cause of the accident.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District