Rescue on Ashwood Street

Lakeside-

On Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at 4:52 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received calls reference a traffic collision in the 10400 block of Ashwood Street. One structural pumper, one rescue company, and an ALS medic unit were dispatched to the scene. Enroute to the incident, additional information was received that one of the cars was overturned and the driver was trapped. The call was upgraded to a "rescue response" which brought a response from 4106 (Division Chief Kirkpatrick).

Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams works in the interior of the vehicle.

On the arrival of Engine 2 (Riverpark Fire Station), firefighters discovered a female occupant trapped in her badly damaged sedan. The crew accessed the vehicle and initiated medical care to the sole occupant. On the arrival of Rescue 3 and Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Fire Station), the car was stabilized and the process of disentanglement began.

As firefighters started with their initial plan, the patient complained that she was having additional pain with the movement of the car. Crews switched gears and elected to remove the back door and the back of the seat that she occupied. Crews were able to remove the victim with this procedure. New hydraulic rescue cutters, recently purchased with a grant, were used to cut through "new technology metals."

Firefighter-paramedics assessed the victim and determined that her injuries would require evaluation at Sharp Memorial Trauma Center. The patient was transported via Lakeside Medic 3.

The CHP is currently investigating the accident. A total of 9 Lakeside Fire personnel responded to the incident.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District
Photos By: Fire Captain Rick Dalldorf, Lakeside Fire Protection District