Trapped Driver Extricated With ‘Jaws Of Life’ In Fairfield Crash

FAIRFIELD, CT — A driver was hospitalized with serious injuries after being extricated from a car with the “Jaws of Life” on Tuesday night, according to fire officials. At about 9:15 p.m. on Sept. 18, Fairfield's Emergency Communications Center received more than a dozen 911 telephone calls of a two-vehicle crash with injuries at the intersection of North Benson Road and Post Road.

Within seconds of the first 911 call, an off-duty EMT reported from his cellphone that a driver was trapped inside one of the vehicles and extrication was needed, fire officials said. To sign up for Fairfield breaking news alerts and more, click here.

“Engine One and Rescue One under the command of LT Eric McKeon arrived on scene within 4 minutes,” officials wrote in a press release. “With onlookers crowding the surrounding parking areas, the crews went to work assessing the needs of the patient and developing a working plan for extrication. AMR arrived on the scene and provided for patient care of both of the drivers. Car 3 (Shift Commander) and Ladder Two soon arrived on the scene with a total of eleven firefighters and started developing a ‘Plan B’ and ‘Plan C’ if the initial rescue efforts were unsuccessful. The patient was extricated from the vehicle utilizing ‘The Jaws of Life’ to remove the driver's side door within 11 minutes of LT McKeon's on scene arrival time.

“Unfortunately the female patient had serious injuries and required emergency ambulance transported to a local hospital. The second driver, a male teenager, only had a very minor injury and was released to his father.

“Assistant Chief Erik Kalapir would like to remind all new drivers to drive attentively and safely especially at night.”

Fairfield Police remained on the scene to investigate the accident.

Photos via the Fairfield Fire Department

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