Head-on Collision Traps Driver, Airlifted To Hospital

JONES COUNTY, MS. - The following is a press release from the Jones County Volunteer Fire Department.

A two vehicle head-on collision early Thursday morning left one driver trapped in her vehicle with injuries. At around 5:30 a.m., Soso and Calhoun Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene of the accident on Feed Mill Road near Highway 28.

Initial units to arrive on scene found two heavily damaged vehicles blocking the roadway. The white SUV involved had extensive damage, mainly to its front-end, and the Ford F-150 had damage to its front-end and driver's side. A Sheriff's deputy reported that the adult female driver of the pickup truck was trapped in the vehicle and extrication would be required to free her.

Soso Volunteer Fire Department was the first to arrive on scene and immediately began the extrication process; Calhoun fire department quickly followed suit. However, the need for more tools and manpower was needed, so a request was made for the assistance of additional Calhoun and Pleasant Ridge firefighters. When Pleasant Ridge arrived on scene, firefighters made use of their electric-powered extrication tools and cut the roof away from the vehicle. Firefighters worked steadily without breaks to achieve the goal of freeing the trapped victim. Close to an hour after extrication began, the woman was freed from the wreckage. She was then transported by EMServ ambulance to the old Soso school where a landing zone was set up for a helicopter ambulance.

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Air Care quickly arrived on scene and airlifted the patient to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg for treatment of what was believed to be serious injuries. The driver of the white SUV sustained only minor injuries and refused transport to the hospital.

This incident stands as a prime example of how emergency personnel work together to achieve a common goal. Volunteer firefighters, EMServ medics and Jones County Sheriff's deputies all played a vital role in treating and freeing the trapped woman.

Emergency personnel on scene included Soso, Calhoun and Pleasant Ridge Volunteer Fire Departments, EMServ Ambulance Service, Jones County Sheriff's Department, Jones County Fire Public Information Officer and Air Care helicopter.