Photos/Story By: Lt. Todd E. Dickerboom
Late Wednesday morning at 11:46 a.m., units from the Bellevue Fire Department responded to a reported two-car rollover motor vehicle accident, located just south of the Coal Creek Parkway on-ramp to southbound I-405.
Arriving eight minutes after the initial emergency 9-1-1 call, Engine Nine made a quick assessment of the situation and determined that additional personnel and equipment would be necessary to carefully remove a conscious male patient from a 1-1/2 ton truck lying on its side.
A total of two Engine Companies, two Aid Units, a Truck Company, a Medic One Unit, a Battalion Chief, and a Medical Services Officer all responded to the accident scene.
Overall, 17 firefighters were involved in the extrication process, as well as providing care and treatment to both patients.
The accident occurred when a 1-1/2 ton Heavy Duty Ford Truck, loaded with construction debris, struck a stationary 2-door Acura Integra that was parked alongside the freeway with a flat tire.
The driver of the Integra, a 20-year old Issaquah man, was waiting inside the vehicle for a friend when it was struck from behind.
Despite considerable damage to the vehicle, he was eventually transported to Overlake Hospital by Bellevue Aid Nine, with minor rib and shoulder injuries.
Utilizing hydraulic rescue tools, it took firefighters from Light Force Seven less that 15 minutes to safely extricate the 31-year old Everett man through the front portion of the truck's cab.
Although the driver had only minor complaints, both the mechanism and speed of the accident was the determining factor that required him to be transported to Overlake Hospital by Bellevue Aid One.
