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"Jaws of Life" Rescues Trapped Driver

 

June 10, 2009
Wednesday


Ketchikan, Alaska - Sunday morning June 7th, at 6:52 a.m., members of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department responded to the area of 8385 North Tongass Highway for a report of a vehicle rollover with a person trapped inside. "North Tongass fire and EMS personnel quickly set up extrication equipment, more commonly known as the "Jaws of Life" and we able to remove the victim from the car in about 10 minutes," said Chief Dave Hull.

The driver of the 1991 Toyota, 18-year old Edward Stahl III, was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was transported to Ketchikan General Hospital by North Tongass EMS personnel. According to information provided by North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, the driver appeared to be in stable condition.

The accident is still under investigation by the Alaska State Troopers.


EMT 2 Jessi Hook (gray sweater) checks on the driver's condition while firefighters Tim Cook and Ken Montero set up cribbing and the extrication equipment to open up the passenger side door. From left to right, Andy Tighe (standing) and Chief Hull (in blue).


jpg 'Jaws of Life' unit


The 'Jaws of Life' unit is placed to raise the passenger side of the vehicle to allow the door to be opened in order to reach the driver trapped inside. Pictured from left to right, Andy Tighe (standing), Ken Montero (with Jaws), and Chief Hull


jpg driver has been secured on a long spine board and placed on the gurney


The driver has been secured on a long spine board and placed on the gurney in preparation for transport (the end of the gurney is seen on the left side of the picture. The firefighter standing next to the gurney is unidentified. Scott Hildebrandt and Jack Rodgers (red shirt) are seen packing up the extrication equipment while AST personnel inspect the vehicle. The passenger side of the car was lifted and blocked up to allow the door to be opened to gain access to the driver.

 

 

Source of News & Photographs:

North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department
http://www.northtongassfire.org/

 

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