TACTICS at serious crash

At 11.10am this morning, a BASICS doctor from Barnstaple (a member of TACTICS – the local BASICS Scheme) was mobilised to a serious two vehicle road traffic collision in which the driver of one vehicle was killed. Five occupants from the other vehicle were taken to hospital, three by ambulance and two by air – one by the air ambulance, the other by 22 Squadron from nearly Royal Air Force Chivenor. A second air ambulance was on standby at the scene. Two of the more serious casualties were taken to Derriford Hospital at Plymouth, the third was taken to the North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) in Barnstaple.

The accident occurred on the A386 between Bideford and Torrington near Beam Quarry. Fire & Rescue teams assisted the release of three trapped casualties while numerous ambulance staff stabilised the patients supported by the BASICS doctor. Anaesthetist from NDDH was also on scene as he was training with 22 Squadron