Expert help (From Barry And District News)

Expert help

IN YOUR last issue, an article entitled "Road smash" stated that after the accident in question the fire service cleared the road of debris. I was a firefighter on duty in Barry at the time of this accident and the article doesn't tell the full story.

Two fire crews attended the accident, arriving at the scene before the other services we found there were several casualties. As a result of the force of the impact, one of these was trapped in one of the cars. Fire service personnel made the car safe and proceeded to cut the damaged car from around the casualty. This involved removing the door and roof and then rolling back the dashboard from the casualty's lap. This is a very difficult task as it involves the use of heavy-duty cutting equipment in close proximity to an injured and distressed person and has to be carried out with some speed. While part of the crew were fulfilling this task, others were protecting the casualty from breaking glass and sharp metal cuttings and providing medical assistance to this and other casualties.

When the casualty had been freed, we assisted the ambulance service in moving the casualty on to a spine board and out of the car.

When all casualties were handed over to the ambulance service, all vehicles made safe and removed from the scene. We then cleared the road of debris.

Rob Salter Address supplied