CSI BASICS at A500 fatal crash

A CSI BASICS practitioner, Dr Graeme Spencer attended a serious road crash yesterday, but despite his efforts the 60 year old man died at scene after his van was involved in a head-on collision with a lorry.

The crash happened on the A500 in Barthomley. The man, who police say lives locally, was driving a blue Vauxhall van towards Nantwich when the vehicle crossed the carriageway and hit a Scania HGV heading in the opposite direction, before ending up virtually on its roof.

The carriageway was shut for several hours after the crash, which happened shortly before 7pm on Tuesday.

Firefighters from Crewe worked for more than one hour to free the man, who has not yet been named by police. North West Ambulance Service sent two ambulances and two rapid response vehicles to the crash. An Ambulance Officer at scene requested a MERIT team from Manchester but on arrival were unable to offer any further skills to those of Dr Spencer.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "On arrival, crews were confronted with a serious road traffic collision involving one small van and a large goods vehicle."

Dr Spencer said the man, who had severe head injuries was suspended from his seatbelt with his head pressed hard against the roof.

The man was trapped by his legs and therefore the van required a "dash roll" evolution. However the man was time critical from his head injuries, was already having problems with his respiration and being head down was deteriorating rapidly. Dr Spencer recommended that the vehicle be manoeuvred back on to its wheels where the extrication, which was described as challenging, became feasible. The man was ventilated via a Laryngeal Mask Airway, the only airway option possible due to the restricted access. Fluids were administered via an intraosseous route. 

"The crews worked hard for more than an hour to release the casualty but sadly he suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene."

The driver of the HGV, a 41-year-old man, suffered whiplash and was taken to hospital.