Friday, May 12, 2000 was a warm early summer morning when Glasgow Life Saving & First Aid Crew was toned at 0630 for a 10-50 tractor trailer involving a residence and a fire at the 180 North exit of I-81. Trauma 49 was en route at 0635 with Shock Trauma Tech Robert Hickman and EMT-B Daniel Rader. Trauma 50 was en route at 0639 with Shock Trauma Technicians Lisa Rogers and Mickey Cochrane. Crash Rescue 51 was en route also at 0639 with EMT extrication specialist Roger Funkhouser. As the units responded to the scene Company 11 firefighters and EMT-Bs were en route as well. All responding members were considering the possibilities of multiple injuries, possibly fatalities, and the added danger of fire. Rockbridge Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was contacted for what might be carried by the tractor trailer, but EOC had no further information. As Trauma 49 and 50 and Rescue 51 responded, the members could see a large black cloud on the horizon, evidence of the dangerous situation they were about to face.

Trauma 49 was on scene at 0645 with Company 11 firefighters, Trauma 50 and Rescue 51 on scene at 0649. What was visible was a tractor trailer resting in the front lawn of an old southern home, the vehicle was on fire, the residence was not involved. Glasgow members began searching for victims and were advised that there were two victims who had gotten out of the truck before it exploded and were on the grassy lawn behind the home. Initial triage revealed two patients, one male and one female, lying on their sides on the lawn. Patient #1 was an awake and oriented white female, age 31, complaining of lower back pain, left ankle and left rib pain, and a puncture wound to her right buttock. Patient #1 was treated by STs Rogers and Cochrane. Her vital signs were assessed at Blood Pressure 120/82, Pulse 84 and regular, respirations 18, normal, and lung sounds clear bilaterally. Pupils were PERRL, skin was normal, there was no loss of consciousness and Glasgow Coma Scale was 15. Patient was reassured and covered with a blanket. Her pulse, movement and sensation (PMS) was positive in all extremities before placing her in a c-collar and rolling her onto a backboard and head restraints. Patient #1 was secured to the backboard with a spider strap and loaded into Trauma 50 for transport to Stonewall Jackson ER at 0720. En route Patient #1's vitals were continually monitored, placed on 4 liters oxygen via nasal cannula, her ankle splinted, and bleeding from the puncture wound controlled. Patient #1 was very concerned about her dog which was riding in the truck when it went off Interstate 81, jumped the guardrail and crashed into a large oak tree, before bursting into flames. Transport to SJHER (Stonewall Jackson Hospital Emergency Room) was uneventful, and Patient #1 was turned over to ER personnel at 0733. Patient #2 was an awake and oriented 25 year old white male, driver of the tractor trailer who complained of second degree burns to his right hand.  Patient #2 was treated by Shock Trauma Tech Hickman and EMT-Bs Rader and Funkhouser. Vital signs were Blood Pressure 130/90, pulse 96 and regular, respirations 14, normal, with lung sound clear bilaterally. Pupils were PERRL, skin was normal, and GCS was 15.

PMS was positive in all extremities prior to and after applying a c-collar and rolling him onto a backboard with head blocks. Secured to the spine board with a spider strap, Patient #2 was loaded into Trauma 49 for transport to SJHER at 0724. En route Patient #2 was further evaluated for other injuries, none were found. His vitals were continually monitored en route and he was placed on 4 liters oxygen via nasal cannula as he may have inhaled fumes from the burning truck. Trauma 49 was out of service at SJHER at 0737. Patient #2 was turned over to ER personnel with a detailed report and the members gathered equipment to restock their units.

Further information revealed that the two patients were en route from Arizona to Stuarts Draft, Virginia (Target Stores Warehouse) with a load of televisions, VCRs, and office chairs. The 2000 model Freightliner had less than 4,000 miles on its odometer when the driver went to sleep and ran off I-81 to the lawn below. The truck crashed into a large tree and burst into flames. The driver and his wife, (riding in the sleeper) were able to get out because the cab burst apart upon impact and left plenty of space to get out of the fire. The couples’ small dog was found unharmed and was brought to the ER by state police on the scene. Patient #1 was transported to Roanoke via ground to further study a drop in blood pressure, Patient #2 was released from SJHER that afternoon. Neither patient wished to drive a tractor trailer again.

Trauma 49 and 50 and Crash Rescue 51 returned to quarters at 0909, expending some 18 hours and driving 90 miles. Our initial fears were not what we found at the scene. Thankfully all patients survived their brush with death.

--  Written By:    Danny Smith