MVI Challenges Rescue Crews

Firefighters from Sooke and Shirley along with local ambulance paramedics faced a difficult and complicated rescue as they dealt with a pick up truck that had gone off the highway on the Muir Creek Hill in Shirley. The truck had impacted the concrete no-posts and then went over the top and down the hill side approximately 30 meters (100 ft) rolling four times as it careened down the emankment. It finally came to a stop in a swamp, with the passenger side partially buried in 2 feet of mud. Not only were rescuers having to contend with a stabilization nightmare, all of the tools had to be packed down the hill and then through the swamp to get to the truck. Using the winch from the Shirley rescue truck and several boxes of cribbing and shoring, the vehicle was stabilized as best could be done in the circumstances. The roof was partially removed in a half flap extrication and the driver finally freed after about 75 minutes of very strenuos effort. (the mud was so thick that once you stepped in, you could not pick up your feet to move to another spot) Several of the firefighters and paramedics were covered in the muck from head to toe. Once freed, the passenger was placed on a basket stretcher and carried up through neighbouring properties to an awaiting ambulance which transported the victim a short distance down the road to an air flight helicopter for the ride to VGH. The driver had freed herself and scrambled up the hill before the arrival of responders. She was transported to hospital by ambulance and was reported to have two broken fingers. The passenger it turns out suffered no serious injuries. A dog located in a crate in the back of the truck was thrown clear as the truck rolled, but other than a coating of mud, suffered no injuries either. Crews returned to their stations were they spent the next hour or two removing mud from everything. Thankfully the Sooke Seniors Group were still in the building and provided lunch to all the members. Crews should be commended on the excellent job they did in a difficult environment. Even with all the different agencies on scene, everyone worked cooperatively and efficiently to get the job done. It was truly a joint effort that provided such a successful outcome.