Lincoln firefighters used the jaws of life to free a trapped driver and passenger from a crashed car on Route 117 just east of Farrar Pond on June 11.
The car rolled over and wound up on its side, so firefighters stabilized it with supporting struts and then gained initial access to the people inside through the trunk. They covered the driver with a blanket to protect them from debris while they cut out the windshield, then extricated them and took them by ambulance to Lahey Clinic. The passenger (who had been under the driver) was still trapped, so firefighters again used the jaws of life to open the car’s roof. The patient was then slid out with the help of a backboard and sheet and also taken to Lahey Clinic.
Fire Chief Brian Young said on Tuesday that the accident victims were a man and woman in their 50s or 60s, though he didn’t know their town of residence. Both were conscious when they were extricated but had neck and back injuries. He added that in some cases, posts at the side of the road that are intended to keep cars from flying into the pond or the woods can get bent from the initial impact and act as a ramp, causing the car to roll over.
Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Fire Department’s Facebook page.
Hoping everyone is OK. Excellent work Lincoln Public Safety.