California Crews Extricate Crash Victims
Santa Barbara County firefighters extricated two from an overturned vehicle near Los Alamos, Calif. on April 16.
Medic Engines 24, 31, 22 and Battalion 511 responded to a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 101 south of the town of Los Alamos. A handful of off-duty Marin Co. firefighters, who were returning from teaching at the annual Fire Explorer Academy in Oxnard, were the first on the scene. They found a male driver and female passenger trapped, suffering from minor to serious injuries.
The crew of Engine 24 took command and patient care.
Personnel on E 31 assisted with stabilizing the vehicle, setting up airbags and extrication equipment. The female passenger was removed first to gain access to the male, who suffered from moderate to major injuries.
It was a prolonged extrication due to the position he was in. At the same time, CalStar 7 was inbound.
After 30 minutes, the driver was freed. AMR and SBCoFD medics continued their treatment as CalStar 7 was touching down.
The driver was airlifted to Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara City for further treatment. Both patients are expected to fully recover.
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