Both the mother and her four-year-old child had to be extricated from a vehicle that wrecked Tuesday on Interstate 79, but neither are likely going to be facing any serious injuries Fire Chief Phil Hart said.
The accident took place at 9:55 a.m. in the northbound lane of I-79 near the 122 milemarker. According to Hart, the female drive of an SUV saw her vehicle go off the roadway and land on its side.
“Both of the individuals were entrapped,” said Hart. “The child was quickly extricated, but it took about 20 minutes for us to extricate the female. We utilized the jaws of life to assist with getting her safely from the vehicle.”
Hart said both the mother and child were transported to United Hospital Center by the fire department’s EMS. He said the injuries were not life-threatening.
“The injuries were very minor to both. The transportation was more precautionary than anything,” said Hart.
Hart offered praise to firefighter/paramedic Brandon Marshall. Hart said Marshall did what often needs to be done when a young child is involved, and that is to try to calm the child as much as possible.
“It’s very important to make sure the child is okay and then help the child get calm. He was naturally scared from the accident and those are always kind of chaotic scenes,” said Hart. “(Brandon) took him in his arms, talked to him, reassured him, and the child quickly calmed down.”
Hart said the vehicle was a total loss. He said it is almost a certainty that the mother being in her seatbelt and the child being properly restrained in a safety seat prevented serious injuries or worse.
The Bridgeport Police Department were joined on the scene by the Bridgeport Police Department. Although the accident was off the roadway, Hart said traffic was backed up as the police blocked one lane of traffic to allow for emergency vehicles to have safe access to the site.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Bridgeport Fire Department personnel using the Jaws of Life,while Firefighter Brandon Marshall comforts a child after the accident.
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