Car Hangs Over Embankment in Norwich with Driver Inside

Photo by Norwich FireThe driver drove off the right side of the road and was trapped inside.

Photo by Norwich FireCrews used 2 griphoists on the driver's side and struts on the passenger's side to stabilize the car.

Photo by Norwich Fire

Photo by Norwich FireEngine 3 stretched a dry line due to a fuel leak.

Photo by Norwich Fire
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.