New Years Eve Entrapment

The driver of a car was seriously injured when his car left the road at Combe Martin in North Devon at around 5pm on 31st December. The alarm was raised by his passenger who escaped from the overturned vehicle which had landed in a field.

Fire, police, ambulance, an immediate care doctor and 22 Squadron RAF Chivenor were involved in the rescue..

The casualty appeared at scene to have a serious head injury but was pinned down, by his arm and leg which were under the vehicle. His condition at scene was deteriorating, not helped by being upside down and immobilised. Teamwork between the paramedic & ambulance team, the immediate care doctor and the fire & rescue service led to a rapid extrication by jacking the car up despite the dark, muddy and slippery environment which released his limbs adequately to remove him from the vehicle.

A Sea King helicopter from 22 Squadron RAF Chivenor had been alerted in view of the likely prolonged travel time to the nearest hospital and arrived on scene just as the casualty was freed and the casualty was airlifted to the North Devon District Hospital, accompanied by the doctor.

Fortunately, the casualty's condition improved and the head injuries proved to be relatively superficial, however he sustained several fractures & remains in hospital after an overnight stay in the intensive care unit. (As of 2/1/11)