At approximately 10:50 am on Friday, December 24, 2021, the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squad, Kent County EMS, along with other mutual aid companies (see below) were dispatched for the Motor Vehicle Collision – High Velocity to the 24400 block of Chestertown Road (Maryland 20), which is located near Bell Rose Lane / Earl Nicholson Road. First arriving found a single vehicle crash into a tree with two patients, one of whom was pinned behind the steering wheel. Both patients were conscious and talking, with the second patient self-extricated.
When Chestertown VFC Engine 6 arrived, the crew deployed our Hurst hydraulic rescue tools. Removing first the doors, then the roof, they proceeded to complete a Dash Roll. Using hydraulic O-Cutters, relief cuts are placed in the car floor on both sides of the vehicle, then rams are employed to push the dash / steering wheel away from the patient. This works perfectly more than 99% of the time, except today. For some reason, the car was not cooperating with the procedure. They could not gain enough clearance to free the patient. Only about an inch, or less, of clearance was needed. Just like any situation, when something doesn’t work, you try something else. Often, that means getting back to the very basics. Using a chain and come-along (a mechanical pulling tool) the crew was able to pull the steering wheel just enough to free the patient. From the time Engine 6 arrived, including the amount of time to assess the rescue challenge, develop a plan, and deploy the tools, the extrication was completed in exactly 20 minutes. For added safety during the rescue operation, an 1-34” hose line was deployed, in case of fire.
With Maryland State Police Aviation landing at the nearby Elk's Lodge, both patients were subsequently airlifted to the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The driver for serious, potentially life-threatening injuries, the passenger for precautionary evaluation due to the high crash energy involved. Kennedyviulle VFC Rescue-Engine 4 handled safety and security at the landing zone.
Companies and agencies dispatched and at the incident:
Chestertown VFC
Rock Hall VFC
Kennedyville VFC
Betterton VFC (canceled)
Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squad
Kent County EMS
Maryland State Police – Patrol
Maryland State Police – Aviation
Kent County Sheriffs Office
