A vehicle accident with a rollover and impact to a residence occurred on Friday morning February 14 in the West Wyomissing area of Spring Township. At approximately 1055 hrs, TSFRS was alerted for Rescue 85, along with Wyomissing FD Station 79, Western Berks FD Engine 18-2, and Western Berks EMS Medic 6512 and Squad 650 for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment and fire at the intersection of Girard Avenue and Clark Avenue, Spring Township. As the units responded, County Communications provided an update to the effect that a vehicle had struck a house overturned and was now smoking with one occupant trapped.

TSFR Chief 85 arrived and determined that the incident was in front of a home in the 2600 block of Girard Avenue He reported one vehicle on its roof, with confirmed entrapment, but no fire. Station 79 was released immediately to cover a simultaneous emergency in their jurisdiction. There appeared to be no apparent structural damage to the home and Girard Ave. however, the car was precariously perched on a slope. As such, when R85 arrived, members began stabilizing the vehicle with struts and cribbing. This is routinely done to ensure that the vehicle and any occupants are not endangered by further movement. Captain 85 contacted the occupant who was being held in place by the seatbelt system but reported being uninjured.

E18-2s crew stretched R85s 1 ¾” bumper hose line and then assisted with the extrication. All doors were found to be locked. So, when the vehicle was stabilized, the driver's side front and rear door windows were breached to unlock and open the door, thus allowing access to the patient. Crews then cut the seatbelt and safely lowered the patient, where a precautionary cervical collar was applied by SQ650. The patient was removed from the vehicle and placed on M6512’s litter for further evaluation and transport to the hospital. The extrication took approximately 15 minutes from dispatch.

In addition to the rescue and medical treatment, the Township Fire Marshal and Asst. Fire Marshal (FM43 and FM43-1) arrived on scene to evaluate the structural conditions on two properties on Girard Ave that were struck by the vehicle. FM43 reported that the damage to the properties was cosmetic in nature and not structural.

E18-2 was released while R85 remained on scene until the tow company up righted the vehicle. When it was determined that no fluids or other hazards were present, Command was terminated, and the Chief and Rescue were placed available. TSFRS Fire Police however remained on location until the vehicle was completely removed.