SIX NATIONS – At 1:56 a.m. Monday, two Six Nations Fire Stations and firefighters were dispatched for a report of a single vehicle rollover with possibly four patients near 2000 6th Line Road in the Six Nations of the Grand River territory.
A quick response was made with Six Nations Pumper/Rescue #1 and Squad #1 arriving on scene at 2:02 a.m.
First arriving crews reported that an SUV had left the road way, appeared to roll over an unknown number of times striking a hydro pole. The impact caused the hydro pole to break into pieces causing multiple hydro lines to land on the SUV and a transformer on the ground near the vehicle.
Three patients were located a safe distance from the down hydro wires and transformer who were possibly ejected from the vehicle, paramedics began to triage the scene with firefighters assisting paramedics.
Due to the serious high potential for electrocution to emergency crews a 33 foot safety perimeter around the SUV and down hydro wires/transformer was established with a request for Hydro One crews to attend and assist by cutting the power.
While establishing the safety perimeter a male patient was located approximately 15 feet from the SUV and down hydro wires/transformer, fire crews were then updated that Hydro One crews were still 45 minutes away.
Assessing the situation, a senior firefighter made the decision to attempt rescue of the patient and instructed other firefighters to stay clear, utilizing a technique known as the shuffle step the senior firefighter made entry into the hot zone and dragged the victim out to the safety zone where paramedics were located.
While awaiting the arrival of Hydro crews a secondary search of the area revealed no other patients.
Once hydro crews arrived and the power was cut a thorough search of the SUV was completed and no other patients were located.
Four patients in total were transported by paramedic crews from Six Nations, Brant County, Haldimand County and City of Hamilton to the Hamilton General Hospital with serious injuries.
Due to the damage sustained to the hydro pole and transformer, power was out in a portion of the Six Nations territory for approximately eight hours; all power has now been restored.
Anyone with any information with regards to this motor vehicle collision are asked to contact the Six Nations Police at (519)-445-2811 and for more information contact Six Nations Fire Chief Matthew Miller at firechief@sixnations.ca or (519)-445-4054.
