On Wednesday, June 18th, emergency responders from Lawrence County Fire Rescue were dispatched to a farm machinery accident involving a 14-year-old girl. The initial report from E-911 indicated that the young patient had been trapped under the equipment for approximately twenty minutes. Complicating the situation, intermittent cellphone service hindered the 911 operators’ ability to gather further details about the incident.
Upon identifying the location of the accident, responders anticipated challenges in accessing the site with their equipment. A dedicated two-person rescue team, comprised of volunteers from the LCFR Station, quickly arrived at the scene. They were soon joined by personnel from Emergency Management, Lawrence County EMS, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and additional volunteers from nearby LCFR stations.
Upon arrival, the rescue teams set up a staging area and began assessing the situation. They utilized medical equipment, airbags, chains, and hydraulic rescue tools to address the emergency. The young girl was pinned beneath a tractor on a steep hillside, necessitating careful medical intervention. To prevent further injury to both the patient and the first responders, the rescue team focused on stabilizing the tractor before attempting to free her.
Once Lawrence County EMS units arrived, they took over patient care. The team employed airbags and hydraulic rescue gear to lift the tractor off the girl. After successfully extricating her, the crew carefully transported her back to the staging area, where an ambulance and additional medical personnel were prepared to assist. An Advanced Life Support Unit from Lawrence County EMS then transported the patient to Southern Tennessee Regional Hospital in Lawrenceburg. Following initial treatment, she was subsequently transferred by ground to a Trauma Center for further medical attention.