Last evening around 7:30 pm, Station 35 (Wagontown) and local EMS were dispatched to the rear of a home in the 200 block of Kingswood Lane in West Brandywine Twp for an injured child with his leg stuck in mud. This "routine" call turned out to be something other than "routine". Initial crews arrived and were directed to a heavily wooded, muddy creek bed about 100 yards to the rear of a home. A young man had been struggling for several hours to free himself before help was called. First arriving crews recognized the seriousness of this incident and requested assistance from the Chester County Rescue Task Force. The Trench Rescue Discipline was dispatched bringing Stations 53 (Fame), 38 (Thorndale), 47 (Lionville), 68 (Valley Forge) and Medic 2 (Berwyn Fire EMS) to the scene. Fame is the Lead in Trench Rescue. As CCRTF Crews arrived, TF Leader Kevin Corcoran worked with the Incident Commander, Chief Todd Zeigler to develop and implement a rescue plan. The victim, who was being held by a Wagontown FF, was trapped waist deep in a cold, thick, muddy creek with water still running in the stream. Attempts to dike the water flow had limited success as rescuers continued efforts to dig the victim out. EMS had already initiated advanced life support care on the victim. CCRTF Trench Technicians and support members did their best to secure and make safe the very difficult work area. After nearly 40 minutes of digging, CCRTF technicans, using an air-knife, were finally able to free him from his entrapment. The victim was transported from the scene by ATV to an awaiting ambulance and then to helicopter that was standing by to transport him to a local trauma center. It took about an hour to retrieve and decontaminate all of the equipment use on this "routine" call. Thanks to all who participated in this unusual rescue and helped to make it a success.
