A clinical first following two-car RTC in Great Totham
A serious road collision on Friday afternoon led to what was the first time a special clinical procedure has been used by an Essex Air Ambulance crew.
The ambulance service was called to Broad Street at about 1.15pm, following reports of a collision between a car and a van. Three crews, a rapid response vehicle, an operations manager and the air ambulance were dispatched.
Paramedic Laurie Phillipson, who was on the helicopter with fellow para Richard Mackie, joined Dr Raj Maroju in treating the the male driver of the car while Richard assisted crews with the van driver and female car passenger.
Laurie said: "The car driver had suffered chest, head, abdominal and pelvic injuries.
"Due to the nature of these injuries, we were required to deliver emergency anesthetic* (see Notes for Editors) - it involves five different drugs and is basically a way of humanely treating patients so we can carry on dealing with their injuries.
"It was very challenging; it took a lot of teamwork to ensure things happened with the clinical precision needed."
The 63-year-old man was then flown to Queen's Hospital, Romford.
The van driver was trapped for some time, and freed by fire officers on scene. He suffered injuries to his right leg as well as abdominal pain. He and the car passenger were both taken to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford.
A member of the public who helped those on scene by staying with patients to give assurance and support has also been praised. An ambulance service spokeswoman said: "This was an extremely difficult job for all those on scene, and for someone to stop and put others needs before their own was both thoughtful and much appreciated."
ENDS
Notes for editors
*Rapid sequence induction is an advanced medical procedure, and refers to the sedation and induction of paralysis to allow rapid, safe airway management and protection.
