SUV collides with utility pole on Basline Road

On July 24, at 9:15am, MCFR units were dispatched to the 2400 block of SE Baseline Road, Ocala, in reference to a motor vehicle accident with heavy damage and the driver pinned inside. The silver SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed and hit a concrete pole, which fell on top of the car. The active power lines precluded firefighters from making entry to the patient. Ocala Electric Utility arrived on scene in less than 10 minutes, disconnected the power and moved the lines off of the vehicle.

Firefighters from Anthony Station #1, Rolling Greens Station #28, Belleview Station #18 and Shady Station #16 were on scene to complete extrication of the single occupant, the driver. The MCFR Special Operations team on Heavy Rescue 1, Heavy Rescue 2 and Tower 2 worked collectively with a game plan to free him. Extricating the driver took 26 minutes, as the vehicle sustained major damage. Firefighters treated the driver with medical interventions while the other firefighters worked. He was freed from the wreckage at 10:06am, declared a “Trauma Alert” and was transported to a local trauma hospital in critical condition.

There were no reported injuries to firefighters on the scene. The accident will remain under investigation by law enforcement officials.

(Photos: Marion County Fire Rescue)