1 Heavily Entrapped in Turnpike Crash

Station 2 FIRE/EMS units were dispatched to the PA Turnpike in the area of the Valley Forge Service Plaza for the auto-accident with confirmed entrapment at 2:38 a.m.

Initial 9-1-1 calls indicated that two tractor trailers had collided in the high-speed lane.

Assistant 2A (B. Brazunas) arrived on scene and reported a box truck into the rear of a tractor trailer. Rescue 68 (Valley Forge) was immediately requested due to the passenger being heavily entrapped by the dashboard.

The crews of Engine 2-2, Rescue 2, and Rescue 68 worked with Holmatro rescue tools and the HURST Jaws of Life to free the passenger. The roof of the cab was removed and the dashboard was rolled forward to free the victim's legs.

The rescue effort was especially dangerous since the box truck was stuck in gear and could not be turned off.

The extrication was completed at 3:25 a.m.

The victim was transported by PENNSTAR aeromedical to a Philadelphia trauma center, while the driver was treated on scene for minor injuries.

Station 2 units cleared the scene just before 4:00 a.m. and then responded to a DUI related single vehicle auto-accident on Cassatt Rd. in Tredyffrin.

Thank you to Station 3 (Paoli) for covering the fire alarm on Liberty Ridge Dr. in Tredyffrin during the incident.

Personnel: 17 Volunteer & 2 Paid

Command: Assistant Chief 2A (Brendan Brazunas)
Operations: Chief 2 (Craig Peterson)
Landing Zone: Assistant Chief 68 (Evan Taylor)