Gettysburg Fire Department Hot Shots

Mutual Aid - Heidlersburg
Box 25-4 - U.S. Route 15 near Heidlersburg Exit.
04/08/99 at 07:26 hrs.

Rescue 1 was dispatched to this early morning accident along U.S. Route 15. In this photo, crews from Heidlersburg, Biglerville, and Gettysburg Fire Department begin a long rescue operation to free the entrapped driver from the wreckage. Heidlersburg Chief 25 requested a nearby heavy-duty tow truck immediately upon arrival and the wrecker was on scene as rescue crews arrived. (Photos courtesy of Darryl Wheeler of the Gettysburg Times.)

As the truck was carefully lifted to expose the driver's side of the rig, rescue crews stabilized the truck with cribbing. In this photo, GFD personnel use Hurst equipment; but mostly reciprocating saws, and air chisels were used cut away driver's side of the vehicle to gain access to the driver. The driver was conscious, alert, and communicating with the rescue crew during rescue operation, but was trapped in the wreckage. New Oxford Rescue 13 was dispatched to the scene also, to assist with stabilization of the vehicle with air bags as the tractor was lifted by the wrecker.

After nearly 50 minutes of work, the driver was extricated from the vehicle. In this photo, patient is moved up the bank to be assessed by crew from Life Lion, stabilized, and prepared for flight to the nearest Trauma center, York Hospital.

In this photo, the crew from Life Lion Helicopter prepare patient for airlift to York Hospital. The driver was reported to be in satisfactory condition at York Hospital that evening.

Mutual Aid - Heidlersburg

Box 25-4 - U.S. Route 15 near Heidlersburg Exit.

04/08/99 at 07:26 hrs.

Additional Photos of the Incident

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