RINGGOLD, Georgia - Saturday, August 9,2008 - 10:00am - Ringgold/Catoosa
County Fire Department was alerted of a head on collision on Mt. Pisgah Road
near the intersection of Brock Circle. When the first unit arrived on the
scene they immediately reported entrapment and a vehicle on fire.
Firefighters quickly pulled a hose line and started extinguishing the fire.
Meanwhile, additional rescuers quickly worked to free the trapped patients.
Rescuers called for two emergency air
ambulances to transport the critically injured patients. With time being a
major factor, firefighters were able to subdue the fire in short order.
However the extrication process was a little more difficult. With the
massive amount of damage to the vehicles it was not an easy task to free the
patients.
Luckily, the small Ford Ranger that was on
fire was on occupied during the blaze. This occurred only by fortune and two
heroic bystanders. Two men that were working nearby, heard the crash and
rushed to the aid of the victims. When the two men spotted the man in the
pickup truck, they quickly pulled him out of the wreckage. Within seconds of
the men pulling him out the pickup truck burst into flames.
Firefighters and medics freed the other
patients after a short period of time. Unfortunately, the driver of the
small car had been fatally injured in the crash. Two other people in that
car and the driver of the pickup truck were loaded onboard two air
ambulances and flown to Erlanger Medical Center. One of those patients, a
young female unfortunately passed away after arriving at the hospital.
The cause of the crash is under
investigation by the Georgia State Patrol.
Story and photos by Bill Carson
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