SAVES & TACTICS at M5 Major Incident
Two doctors from SAVES (Somerset Accident Voluntary Emergency Service), together with a doctor from the neighbouring Devon TACTICS scheme, worked throughout yesterday evening at a major incident on the M5 near Taunton, alongside teams from South Western Ambulance Service and the Police and Fire Services.
This accident on the Northbound carriageway involved multiple vehicles, including several large goods vehicles, and was complicated by a major fire. Casualties were taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Yeovil District General Hospital.
Local SAVES doctor, James Hickman acted as Medical Commander at the scene alongside Ambulance Commanders together with Dr Chris Krasucki. They were joined by Dr Andy Smith from Cullompton who, as well as being a BASICS doctor, is Medical Director of South Western Ambulance Service.
Dr Hickman praised the work of his colleagues from the Ambulance and other Emergency Services saying "This was a shocking and difficult incident, even for experienced emergency service workers. They all pulled together and worked tirelessly and professionally to help those involved. Our thoughts and sympathies are now turning to those who died, or were seriously injured, and their families."