Date: Saturday, July 21, 2012 @ 14:49

Nature: Vehicle Accident BLS

Location: 32616 River Rd @ Oak Orchard Road, Millsboro 19966

Cross Street Information: Cerulean Ln, River Road & Oak Orchard Rd

On Saturday, July 21st, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a vehicle accident in the vicinity of Oak Orchard, River Road possibly near Cerulean Lane for a reported car into the water.

Indian River’s Incident Command was coordinated by Steven R. Hawkins who identified that this accident involved one vehicle into water with all occupants out of the vehicle.

It appears that a white Chevrolet Cavalier was traveling southbound on Oak Orchard Road and failed to observe the stop sign and navigate the turn at the end of Oak Orchard Road. The vehicle traveled through adjacent parcels, over the bulkhead and into the Indian River Bay striking numerous pilings, bulk headings, and other piering. The occupant self extricated herself from the vehicle.

Emergency response units included Rescue 80 from the Oak Orchard facility and Engine #80-5 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police and the Delaware State Police.

Emergency response crews were assigned to coordinate vehicle stabilization, where needed; assist with patient stabilization, if needed; commence with vehicle tethering and await for the towing company to perform vehicle extrication from the water. Additional measures were coordinated to include scene preservation measures; provide traffic control assistance; and crowd control to allow for bystander observation.

The Delaware State Fire Police provided traffic control assistance at the Oak Orchard Road and River Road intersection for the duration of the incident.

The Delaware State Police are investigating and did detain the operator of the vehicle. There was a canine companion in the vehicle that perished as a result of the incident.

Bunting's Towing was requested to respond with an articulating boom truck to extricate the vehicle from the water.

There were no firefighter or responder injuries.

It is ironic that earlier in the calendar year, March 2012, the Indian River, Millsboro, Dagsboro and Selbyville fire companies spent a day training at Massey's Landing in preparation for such incidents.  See website link for the training activities: 

http://www.irvfc.com/gallery.cfm?id=999

Additional information may be obtained by viewing the following websites:

• Cape Gazette

http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/news/story/woman-crashes-into-bay-dog-dies/868615

• WGMD Radio 92.7

http://www.wgmd.com/?p=63921