During the Friday, afternoon, rush hour commute Ladder 24 and Cherry Hill BLS were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at Route 70, under the Cuthbert Blvd overpass; initial reports were coming in as an mva with a smoking vehicle. As Ladder 24 arrived it was apparent that the car involved had sustained heavy front end and driver's side damage. It appeared that the vehicle had driven over the median and crashed into a support pillar under the overpass. A quick assessment revealed two patients, with the driver still heavily entrapped in the car. The assignment was upgraded to a "Rescue Box" adding Battalion 13 and Rescue 13. Ladder 24 worked quickly to stabilize the automobile, as well as to secure power to the vehicle through use of the hydraulic tools. Battalion 13 arrived on scene, took command and requested an additional medic and BLS unit to the scene. Rescue 13, along with BLS, and the medics arrived on scene shortly there after. Rescue 13 quickly gained access to the patient by removing the driver's side door and displacing the dashboard. BLS and the medics packaged the two patients and transported them to a nearby hospital. Quick coordinated work between Cherry Hill Fire and EMS provided rapid vehicle stabilization, patient assessment, extrication and transport to the hospital.
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| Firefighters removed the driver's side door utilizing hydraulic cutters. |
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| The dash of the car had pushed into the seating area pinning the driver's legs and feet. The Rescue used Hydraulic spreaders and rams to push the dash off the victim. |
