I-84 East Extrication

I-84 East Extrication

On February 11, 2007 at approximately 7:00 pm the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident on I-84 East, just prior to the South Street Bridge. Engine 3 and FD-11 responded along with Fire Chief Paul Perrotti in Fire Department Car 1. While traveling west on I-84 Chief Perrotti noticed the heavy damage to the vehicle, and the numerous trees surrounding it. He immediately called for a Full Rescue Response. Other members who had responded to Fire Headquarters for the initial call, immediately staffed Rescue 1.

Engine 3 arrived on-scene and immediately began to get to work with the portable Hurst Power Plant and Combo tool that is stored onboard. The extrication proved to be very difficult as the truck was located on top of a steep dirt embankment in the median. Rescue workers supported each other on the steep hill to prevent injury to themselves. The arrival of Rescue 1 brought more volunteers and the extrication picked up steam. While crews were working on getting the family out from the passenger side, the other crew worked on securing the truck with chains to prevent it from slipping down the bank. Others worked on removing the trees off the vehicle.

All three members of the family were successfully extricated from the vehicle after approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes of hard work by the members of the Fire Department. The family was transported to local hospitals by the Middlebury Fire Department Ambulance and Campion Ambulance of Waterbury.

The truck can be seen on the embankment, as well as the trees that fell making the extrication difficult and dangerous for the rescuers. Notice the size of the tree, as well as the number of branches. That tree was suspended approximately 1 1/2 feet off the ground and the embankment was approximately 40-45 degrees. Heavy damage can be seen to the front right side of the truck.

Another view of the heavy damage, and one of the chains used to secure the truck to prevent it from sliding down the embankment.

Another view of the heavy debris that littered the area. Middlebury Firefighters and EMS personnel had to carry one of the patients down the embankment over the trees to the ambulance, and the other two patients to on top of a hill to an area that was less steep, though still treacherous.

Following the extrication efforts, Engine 3 was released and Rescue 1 stayed on-scene while the Connecticut State Police completed their investigation. The firefighters took refuge from the cold in the back of Rescue 1. Chief Perrotti later said that this was one of the hardest extrications he has done over the course of his career in the Fire Department. Additional trees were cut for the removal of the vehicle, and Rescue 1 returned to Fire Headquarters around 10:30 pm.