Photos by
SARAH MURPHY
Story by
NEIL MURPHY

On Saturday 7/13/02 at 6:55 A.M. the Elizabethtown Fire Department, Elizabethtown Rescue Squad and Lisbon Fire Department were dispatched to a single vehicle MVA on NC Hwy 87 approximately 6 miles East of Elizabethtown, NC. It was reported 2 victims were trapped in the Ford Windstar van and the van was suspended in a tree approximately 8 feet above the ground.

The van had struck a tree at the B post on the driver's side and pushed in approx 12 inches, turning the driver seat and trapping the driver between the seat, dash and door. The rear of the van was over 8 feet in the air wedged on top of a broken tree trunk in the driver side rear wheel well. The passenger side was jammed against another tree with the front bumper on the ground.

First arriving firefighters reported the passenger had been removed from the van however, the driver was still trapped. Emergency crews arrived with extrication equipment and stabilized the van as best possible and began rescue operations. The Air-Link helicopter ambulance was requested on scene from New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.

After approximately 30 minutes the driver was extricated and transported by air to New Hanover Regional for treatment. Injuries to the passenger were minor . He was transported, treated and released from Bladen County Hospital on 7/13/02. The driver suffered multiple broken bones and was transported by air to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. She remains hospitalized.