NORWICH, CT - At 1:30 A.M. on Sunday, January 16th, Norwich Engine 3 and Squad A responded to West Thames Street in the area of Meineke for a report of a MVA. Norwich dispatch updated units while responding that the car was over an embankment.

On arrival Engine 3 reported a vehicle hanging over the embankment with a patient trapped inside. Squad A was immediately put to work using their rescue equipment cache to stabilize the vehicle. Battalion 1 requested Engine 2 and Truck 1 to respond for additional manpower.

Two griphoists were put to work to secure the vehicle, as well as stabilization struts on the opposite side. A dry hose line was stretched as a precaution due to a fuel leak. Once the vehicle was stabilized, crews began extrication of the driver. The passenger door was removed and the patient was loaded into a stokes basket to be carried up to street level. American Ambulance transported the patient to the hospital.

Recently, Squad A was retrofitted and compartment space was reorganized in order to carry specialized rescue equipment that was purchased through grant funding. This incident and its successful outcome is a testament to the work done by our personnel to ensure our department is properly equipped to handle the wide range of emergencies we are called upon to mitigate.