Rescue helicopter breaks down during response

St Johns County Fire Rescue Lt. Jeremy Robshaw reported to Historic City News that emergency medical personnel responded to a motor vehicle accident with injuries and entrapment along north Interstate 95 near the exit for CR-210 at approximately 4:30 a.m. this morning.

When paramedics arrived, they discovered two victims trapped in an overturned pickup truck.

Firefighters were able to extract both victims from the vehicle; then emergency medical technicians assessed the patient’s injuries. One occupant was treated on the scene and transported to Baptist South Hospital in stable condition.

Because of the extent of injuries to the second victim, a medical helicopter was summoned to transport them to a nearby trauma center.

After the helicopter arrived, the patient was stabilized and loaded aboard; but then the pilot reported mechanical difficulties and had to abort the transfer.

Robshaw told reporters that St Johns County Fire Rescue stepped in and provided ground transportation of the victim to Shands Hospital Jacksonville; the patient reportedly in serious condition.

The medical helicopter remained broken down in the center northbound lane of the Interstate until crews were able to affect needed repairs; adding to heavy traffic backup attributed to the 4-car collision. Repairs to the aircraft were completed about 6:45 a.m.

For more than 2 hours, northbound lanes on Interstate 95 were closed down and traffic was diverted via International Golf Parkway to US-1.

The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol, according to Robshaw’s report.