Time of Dispatch: 05:30
Time on Scene: 05:59
Time Patient Flown from Scene: 08:43
Time Back in Service: 09:13
Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue (SSFR) was for Mutual Aid to Assist Grand County EMS for a two car vehicle accident on the Grand County side of Rabbit Ears Pass. Incident command was assumed by Kremmling Fire Protection District and SSFR assisted with 5 personnel staffing Engine 6-2 and Ambulance 6-3.
Upon arrival on scene SSFR found a head on collision between semi-tractor trailer and a full size pick-up truck. The driver of the Semi was uninjured while the driver of the pick-up had numerous injuries and was entrapped in the pick-up. Extrication and patient care was exceptionally difficult due to the -15 F temperatures and the mangled condition of the pick-up. Using extrication crews from both departments the patient was extricated over a 2 ½ hour time period with SSFR Captain Arce commenting that it was “one of the most difficult extrications of his career.” Classic Air Medical was contacted to fly the patient directly to a Level I trauma center on the front- range.
After extrication pt was packaged in Ambulance 6-3 and then moved to Classic Air Medical’s helicopter and flown to the front-range in critical condition. No firefighters were hurt in the extrication and the cause of the accident is under investigation by Colorado State Patrol. For further questions contact Captain Michael Arce at 970-879-7170.