3 SIMCAS Doctors attend crash

One man was left critically injured after head on crash on A272 near Buxted, East Sussex last night (15 July 2011) that also injured another four people.

A man was left fighting for his life last night after a serious high speed head on collision on the A272 between Buxted and Hadlow Down. Two cars crashed head on at approximately 21.50 on the 15th of July 2011 resulting in the entrapment of two young men. The three occupants of the second car were able to free themselves and had minor injuries only.

The trapped front seat passenger suffered injuries to his pelvis, left leg and chest due to the severity of the incident. Three doctors from the local charity SIMCAS (South East Coast Immediate Care Scheme) were dispatched to assist. Dr Alan Pearce, Dr Jane Pateman and Dr Rowley Cottingham of  the South East Immediate Medical Care Scheme were able to provide emergency medical care  at the scene during the difficult prolonged entrapment which lasted about 2 hours. The most serious casualty was transported using the Sussex Police helicopter to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where he had emergency surgery throughout the night due to the complexity of his injuries. His condition remains serious.

Dr Alan Pearce said "the intrusion of the bodywork into the passenger area made extrication and access very awkward but we were able to provide advanced medical care whilst the fire and rescue crews worked to free the casualties during the unusually long entrapment."