MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH ENTRAPMENT - PHOTO GALLERY #2

Franklin Corner Road,
Lawrence Township

Lawrence Road Fire Co. firefighters teamed up with other rescuers to extricate an elderly woman whose car flipped onto its roof during the afternoon of Friday, August 26, 2005.

The accident occurred on Franklin Corner Road, between Lawrence Road (Route 206) and Lewisville Road, when the 76-year-old woman lost control of her car while driving west.

The woman's Toyota struck an embankment and rolled over onto its roof.

It was 1:30 p.m. when Mercer County Central Communication Center transmitted Box 23-10 and dispatched Lawrenceville Fire Co. (Station 23), Rescue 22 from Lawrence Road and Rescue 21 from Slackwood Fire Co. (Station 21).

Also dispatched were a Lawrence First Aid Squad ambulance and a Capital Health System paramedic unit.

Rescue 22 repsonded at 1:30 p.m., followed by Rescue 23 at 1:31 p.m., and by Telesquirt 23 and Rescue 21 both at 1:32 p.m.

Rescue 22 was commanded by Capt. Michael Ratcliffe, driven by Paid Driver Robert Santello, and crewed by Ff./EMT Evan Kutzin, Ff. Steve Hodgdon and Ff. R.J. Laird.

Rescue 23 and Rescue 22 both arrived on scene at 1:33 p.m., followed by Telesquirt 23 at 1:34 p.m. and Rescue 21 at 1:37 p.m.

Firefighters first stabilized the vehicle using cribbing and struts, and then went in service for the extrication using Holmatro tools from Rescue 23 and Rescue 22.

A charged 1.75-inch hoseline from Rescue 23 was stretched for fire protection.

Firefighters first popped the front passenger's side door, allowing Kutzin to climb into the vehicle to secure a cervical collar on the elderly woman and to take manual stabilization of her neck.

Next, rescuers removed the front driver's side door.

Firefighters and EMS personnel then cut the woman's seat belt and carefully removed her from the vehicle, placing her on a backboard.

The extrication was completed by 1:49 p.m.

The woman was then transported to Capital Health System at Fuld hospital in Trenton, where she was treated for injuries that police described as minor in nature.

Rescue 22 cleared the scene at 2:02 p.m. and immediately proceeded to the Lawrence Township public works garage on Lawrence Station Road to refuel.

(All photos on this page courtesy of Lawrenceville Fire Co.)