Plainfield, Illinois -- On Thursday, April 1, 2004, the Plainfield Fire Department responded to the report of a rollover semi-truck accident on I-55 northbound at Airport Road.
The department responded with a heavy rescue, engine, ambulance and a chief. Upon receiving multiple calls reporting a major accident with severe injuries, a second ambulance and a Medivac helicopter were also dispatched.
The arriving companies found a rollover semi, a second semi and five passenger vehicles involved; all but the second semi had heavy damage. The scene was spread over a large area and involved both north and southbound lanes; it also blocked rescuer access to the northern portion of the scene.
After completing a size-up, command requested both the ambulance box and extrication box be filled. This brought in equipment from Lockport, Troy, Romeoville, a third ambulance, and a second squad to the scene.
Several victims were helped from the wreckage by passer-bys and IDOT workers. Efforts were concentrated on a patient who was heavily trapped in his mid-size four door with extensive injuries. Extrication of this person entailed a full roof removal, dash roll, fifth-door evolution on the driver
