At 2:15 pm Thursday, May 13th, 2021, Wilmington Fire units were dispatched to the intersection of 4th and Church streets for a 10-wheel propane cylinder delivery truck overturned with one occupant trapped, according to Assistant Public Information Officer Captain Matthew Marsella.
Marsella said Fire Inspector Laurence Hinds was first on scene, notified incoming units of additional resources needed, confirmed entrapment of one subject, and notified incoming resources of the propane hazard while simultaneously providing medical treatment to the driver who was in cardiac arrest.
Battalion Chief Gordon Davis (Battalion 1) arrived and established command, created an incident action plan to remove the patient, and worked with Wilmington Police and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources to secure the scene and mitigate the propane hazard.
Engine 1 crew immediately began extrication of the driver and worked with Squad 4 in removing the trucks roof and raising the dash of the truck for patient treatment and removal. Engine 2 provided a hand line for fire protection from the leaking diesel tank and propane cylinders while Ladder 2 created a safe landing zone for State Police Trooper 4 helicopter to land in Christina Park for patient transport.
The driver was extricated from the vehicle and patient care was transferred to St. Francis EMS and New Castle Paramedics. Command placed the situation under control at 2:57 pm, however, Wilmington Fire Department units remained on scene while the hazardous materials were removed and scene made safe at 5:14pm.
Approximately 50 personnel from several agencies responded to the accident. The following units responded: Engine 1, Engine 2, Squad 4, Ladder 2, Battalion-1, F-1, FM-12, FM-18, St. Francis EMS, New Castle County Paramedics, Wilmington Police, Delaware State Trooper 4, Delaware Department of Natural Resources, and Wilmington Public Works.
