Two adult men received life-threatening injuries after their pickup truck left the road at a high rate of speed, went down an embankment and overturned.
The accident occurred on I-95 near the 39-mile marker northbound at approximately 1:10 a.m. on Dec. 22.
Initial callers to 9-1-1 reported the accident at the 40-mile marker in Colleton County. Two Colleton Fire-Rescue ambulances were sent, but the first arriving unit reported the incident was actually in Hampton County. Hampton County agencies were also notified.
Both men were unrestrained and appeared to have been ejected from the truck after it struck several trees.
Firefighter-paramedics requested two medical helicopters. Due to long arrival times for the helicopters, the patients were quickly treated at the scene, immobilized and transported by two ambulances to the helipad at Colleton Medical Center.
One man required advanced airway maneuvers to improve his breathing. C.A.R.E. Flight flew one patient and LifeNet 3 flew the second man. Both were taken to the Trauma Center at MUSC.
The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating.
