Willistown truck accident with injurie

Written by L. James Biddle Friday, 16 July 2010 00:00

The continuing increases in emergency responses for Newtown Square firefighters had an unexpected challenge on Tuesday, July 13. The approximate 12:30 p.m. alert message received by the Newtown Square Fire Company told of an entrapment within a vehicle on its side in Willistown Township, Chester County.

The arriving apparatus and crews found a 24-foot box truck on its side in the 900 block of Providence Road.  The truck left the roadway, and came to an abrupt stop at a tree well off the roadway. The challenge was to promptly remove the injured driver and to avoid any additional injuries during this process.

A quick analysis pointed to the removal of the truck’s windshield.   Using a power saw and an accompanying special hand saw designed for the removal of laminated glass, access to the injured driver was promptly accomplished.

The mechanism of the accident accompanied by an ongoing patient survey by Malvern Fire Company medics validated the dispatch of PennStar II, one of the region’s medical evacuation helicopters. Following pre-flight stabilization by the airborne medical crew, the injured driver was helicopter transported to the Trauma Center of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

The Newtown Square Fire Company activities did not end with patient activities.  In describing the follow-up responsibilities, Deputy Chief Mike Kenny volunteered, “The truck had to be removed and to make sure there would be no spill dangers or other hazard problems, the Rescue-Pumper and the Newtown Square Fire Police traffic control vehicle remained at the scene.”

When asked about the status of the truck, Kenny added, “Two heavy duty wreckers work as a team to upright the truck. This permitted the opening of Providence Road.”

The comment made by local firefighter somewhat summed up this midday activity, “There is no such thing as routine activities. Every call we receive is unique challenge.”

The Newtown Square Fire Company provides primary fire and rescue activities in approximately one-third of Chester County’s Willistown Township.

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