On on Monday, 4 February, While returning from Pensacola on US 98,
Trooper Thornton witnessed a two-car accident when Vehicle 1 was
traveling West on US 98. The impact was severe it caused one of the
vehicles to
be moved some distance. A 71 year old female was trapped in one of the
vehicles. Trooper Thornton immediately took charge of the scene by
notifying dispatch. | |
He then directed an Air Force Paramedic (who also witnessed the event)
to hold C-Spine and he retrieved his trauma bag and cervical collar from
the patrol car. The 71 year old female appeared to have a right hip
fracture, right humorous fracture or dislocation and head trauma and was
tightly pinned into the car. With the help of the Air Force Paramedic
he placed a cervical collar on her and started to assess her vital
signs. She was in extreme respiratory distress and could not breath or
respond verbally.
The seat belt had locked during the impact but was now preventing her
from breathing. | |
The belt's release was jammed and would not function, drawing on his
past training he took his seat belt cutter from his trauma kit and cut
the seat belts allowing her to breath. He assessed her as critical and
asked TRCC for 2 X-71’s one for the critical patient and one for the two
minor injuries. He also requested the fire Department to extricate her
from the wreckage.
Fire arrived first, being readily identifiable as a Trooper, Thornton
then identified himself and the Air Forcer NCO as paramedic's he then
asked them to get the jaws of life to cut the roof off since the door
was crushed in too far to be opened. Placing a blanket over her, he
explained that they were going to be cutting into the vehicle and that
he didn’t want the flying glass to injure her. Okaloosa EMS (MEDCOM)
arrived and he briefed them on his actions, turned the patient over to
them and then assisted the responding Trooper with traffic control and
in requesting the X-70’s and other crash investigation duties.
For his quick action and life saving tactics, Auxiliary Trooper Mike
Thornton is most strongly recommended for selection as Trooper of the
Quarter.
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