Shortly after 2 p.m. July 20, Nash County 911 center was receiving calls for a multiple car accident on Interstate 95 near exit 145. At the same time Halifax County was also receiving calls for the same accident. The initial report was about eight vehicles involved in a motor vehicle accident and at least one person pinned.
Nash County dispatched Station 3 (Stony Creek Fire-Rescue), Nash County EMS 9 and Station 12 (Red Oak Fire Department) were dispatched. Stony Creek responded with their rescue truck and one intermediate level ambulance. Red Oak responded with two engines and their squad. Nash Central Communications advised that Halifax County EMS was two responding ambulances for mutual aid. Battleboro Fire Department Station 9 was dispatched to set up a landing zone and to check other minor accidents on I-95 in back of the major one. There were no injuries.
Red Oak Fire Chief Bob Brown established I-95 Command and notified all responding units that he had one person that was pinned and six vehicles involved. Stony Creek Rescue Chief Dennis Williams established rescue command.
The first Red Oak crew pulled a support attack hose line and Stony Creek Rescue 3 started extrication.
The patient was pinned in the passenger side front seat with the door crushed in on the victim along with the front dash completely crushed in on both legs and hips. After they popped the door away from the door pin, cut the hinges and used there spreaders to completely remove the front door from the vehicle. Stony Creek then used their short ram to push the dash off the patient. The Red Oak crews used their Combi-tool to remove the rear passenger door. After the short ram was extended it still did not make enough room to remove the patients legs so the medium ram was brought in and with its extended range they were able to fully displace the dash. With the back door being removed, they were able to place the backboard inside and under the patient and slide her up on it and removed her safely from the vehicle.
The Vidant Medical Center helicopter was on scene and placed on their transport stretcher for a flight to Vidant Health Care Center in Greenville. The other injured were transported by EMS to the local hospital.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol shut down the northbound lane throughout the extrication and during the accident investigation.
