BALDWIN EMS IN ACTION ARCHIVE
Commercial Structure Fire - Wicked Cycle Shop, Clairton Blvd, Pleasant Hills
Motor Vehicle Crash, Single Vehicle On Its Side, With Entrapped Driver
Motor Vehicle Crash, Route 51 North Bound With One Vehicle On Top Of The Other
MVC Clairton Blvd at Lewis Run Rd.. Pleasant Hills
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June 8, 2009 Station 510 was dispatched for a MVC with possible entrapment. Crews arrived to find four vehicles involved , all vehicle were found to have minor to severe damage. One occupant remained in a vehicle with good access. Crews transported one Pt to JRMC and one Pt to UPMC Mercy.
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MVC with Entrapment, Curry Hollow Rd. Pleasant Hills
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On January 15, 2009 Station 510 was dispatched to the intersection of Curry Hollow and Brownsville Rd. for a MVC with entrapment. Rescue 510, Medic 513 and Medic 514 responding. Arrived on scene to find three vehicles involved. 510L2 assumed EMS command. One vehicle was found to be on its roof with heavy damage. Injured passengers were attended to and transported by Tri Community EMS 821. The two other vehicles were found to have a T-Bone style collision involving a light duty truck and mid size car. One Pt was found in the passenger side of the truck. Pt was found to be unrestrained and entrapmed. Vehicle was stabilized and Pt care began, cervical collar was placed and O2 applied.. Pt was covered with a blanket by 232-C1 to protect him from debris. The Passenger door was removed by EMT Federico with Hydraulic Spreaders off of Rescue 510. Once door was removed Pt was extricated out of the vehicle and fully immobilized onto a long board. Pt was then placed in Medic 514. A total of three Pts were transported to UPMC Mercy for further treatment. Other Units Responded Pleasant Hills PD, Baldwin PD, Pleasant Hills VFD, South Baldwin VFC, South Park PD, Tri Community EMS and Allegheny County PD
Above Photography courtesy of South Baldwin VFC |
MVC with Entrapment, E. Bruceton, Pleasant Hills
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Dispatched along with Pleasant Hills FD
and Police to a MVC involving one vehicle with entrapment.
Rescue 510, Medic 513, Medic 515 and 510-C1 enroute. EMS had
currently just cleared a previous MVC with entrapment in Baldwin
Borough. EMS units began to arrival on scene. The vehicle was
a 4 door Hyundai Accent that was noted to be on its roof with two
Pts inside c/o injuries. The driver was still seat belted in
the drivers seat hanging upside down while the other Pt was lying on
the roof. There was gasoline leaking from the car that was
being controlled by the FD. Vehicle was stabilized with box
crib and 4x4 pieces of wood in the A-Posts. Paramedic Toki and
Lt Plunkett entered the vehicle to begin patient care, Rescue 232
began to remove the driver side doors and post with Hydraulic Rescue
Tools. Pts legs were wrapped around the steering wheel, steering
wheel then removed with hydraulic cutters. Both Pts were
extricated from the vehicle, treated by EMS and transported to Mercy
ED.
 
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Residential Structure Fire, Old Clairton Blvd.
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Dispatched to Old Clairton Rd. along with Pleasant Hills Fire Department and Police for a working residential structure fire at approximately 6:15 am on Oct. 20,2008. Rescue 510, Medic 515 and Medic 514 responded. While enroute PD arrived on scene reported a fully involved residence, all occupants were out of the structure. EMS arrived on scene to find a two story ordinary residential structure with heavy fire and smoke showing from the rear of the structure. A second residence to side 4 was found to be an exposure with melting to the siding. 510-L2 established EMS command. FD 232 Engine arrived on scene. Rescue and 515 crews assisted the FD with lying hand lines to the rear and side four of the structure while a crew stood by with Medical Equipment in front of the structure. It was determined by command that no interior operations would occur. EMS and FD Crews began to extinguish fire from the rear and side 4. While crews were extinguishing flames the rear of the residence was noted to have a partial collapse. Additional FD personnel and equipment arrived on scene. Exterior operations continued into the morning hours. EMS then staged in front of the structure with Medical Equipment until FD had extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported at the Fire, no transports were made. Pictures below are provided by cellular phone.
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Motor Vehicle Crash, Two Vehicles involving a School Bus
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Dispatched to Curry Hollow Rd. @ Green Dr. for a MVC involving a SUV and full size School with children on board. Arrived to find a rear end collision with the SUV having moderate to severe frontal damage. Driver and pediatric passenger had self extricated themselves prior to arrival and found sitting on a curb. Both Pts from SUV were immobilized and transported. Approximately 50 students were triaged on the bus with one reported injury. Pt was immobilized on the bus and extricated through the emergency exit of the bus to be transported to a local hospital.
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Technical Rescue from a Wooded Area
| Dispatch: Baldwin E.M.S. was dispatched
for a female that was down in the woods possibly with a broken leg. Upon
arrival to scene Medic 515 met the man who found her at the side of the
dirt road. Medic 515 (Shiring) established E.M.S. command and instructed
all incoming units to switch to an EMS Ops channel. Upon arrival to
scene of Rescue 510 (Neill) had a face to face with Shiring. Neill
then assumed EMS Command and Shiring was assigned to EMS Operations.
The civilian bystander then led Shiring/Cook/Heidenreich ( referred to
as Entry Team One) to where the patient was located. Team One took medical equipment from an ambulance and the over-the-hill rescue
bag
from Rescue 510. After approximately a 600' walk into the woods
the Pt. was found next to a small dirt path. Pt. was assessed by Entry
Team One and treated for injuries and exposure to the cold temperatures.
Upon arrival to scene of UC-480, an access route was plotted through heavy brush and rough terrain. UC 480 was staffed by T. Plunkett and McCaffrey (Entry Team Two) took additional blankets, stokes basket with cold weather packaging equipment as well as warmed IV fluids. Team Two safely reached Team One and together the two teams placed the patient into the stokes basket using the the cold weather package equipment that consisted of (foil blankets, wool blankets and a tarp). The patient was secured using rescue rope in a "needle and thread" anchoring procedure . Inside of the packaging was a electronic topical thermometer device used to monitor the patient's body temperature, cardiac monitor limb leads, and two stethoscopes (one attached to the patient's arm at the brachial artery for blood pressure monitoring and a second one attached to the the patients chest wall to reassess breathing). While Pt. was being packaged, Neill, W. Plunkett, Stoker and Fails set a 24' ladder at a shallow angle down and into the creek bed. A 10' attic ladder was put into position to aid the rescuers as the patient was being raised along the 24' ladder. At the same time, Toki set up a 4:1 (300') haul system off the driver side of Rescue 510 using the vehicle mounted eye-hook as an anchor. The 4:1 was connected to a 2" piece of webbing. The crews drove the patient on the UC 480
vehicle until they reached the edge of the creek bed opposite of the
roadway. Crews then carried the patient to the base
of the 24' ladder and attached the stokes basket to the 4:1 haul system.
Crews then hauled the stokes basket using the rope system until the
patient reached the roadway surface. The patient was then carried
to Medic 511 and taken to the hospital. All equipment was cleaned and placed back
into service. All other units were clear.
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| Baldwin EMS crews were dispatched E2 to a
reported working structure fire at a three-story residential apartment
building. Chief 510 C-1 arrived on scene and initiated EMS command. He
gave instructions to all incoming EMS units as to a staging
location and crew assignments. Medic 511 established a rehab and
treatment area and other crews were directed by EMS/Fire command to start a search of
sub division 1. While searching, EMS came along a fully
involved storage room. EMS and Fire crews used a 1-3/4 inch hand line to
extinguish the fire. After the fire was extinguished the EMS crew
used the 1-3/4 inch hand line to hydraulically ventilate out of a window in
sub division 1, side 1. After the smoke dissipated and the fire was
extinguished all EMS left the structure and went to rehab. When fire units began their overhaul operations they found that fire had spread into division 1 and 2. EMS was then requested by command to go to side 3 of the structure and start to ventilate the roof of the structure. This crew raised a 35 foot ladder to the roof, climbed the ladder and put in place a roof ladder for roof operations. Once on the roof the crew made a 4 ft by 4 ft ventilation hole at the peak of the roof. After the cut was made, fire and smoke began to spread out of the vent hole. EMS then made a rapid egress off of the roof. Once EMS was back on the ground, interior Fire crews extinguished the fire in division 3. Command then asked EMS to make a second cut on the roof on side three. EMS then repositioned the 35 foot ladder and the roof ladder and made a second 4 ft by 4 ft ventilation hole in the roof. After the second ventilation hole was established all EMS personnel cleared the roof and returned to rehab. Other than re-hydrating in the rehab/treatment area, no EMS/Fire personnel required treatment or transport to a hospital.
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Baldwin EMS crews were dispatched along with police and fire units to a residential area for a reported smell of smoke. Police units arrived on scene and confirmed a strong odor of smoke coming from a home that was positioned on a corner lot between two intersecting streets. The home was surrounded by dense trees and shrubbery on all sides. Police announced that they could see heavy smoke coming from the home and then discovered flames were visible through some of the ground level windows. EMS crews arrived on scene and donned complete personal protective equipment and self contained breathing apparatus and aided the fire department personnel in the initial fire attack and search for occupants. No victims were found after the search. EMS and Fire personnel were later informed that the homeowner was on vacation. Additional EMS personnel established a rehabilitation and treatment area. High temperatures and humidity created some problems despite the early morning hours when the fire was discovered. Some of the firefighters were overcome by the combination of smoke, exertion and soaring temperatures and were assessed and treated by paramedics. One firefighter was transported to the hospital for further treatment and evaluation "Because of the heat and the close conditions that they were working in, some of them had a few minor problems," said Baldwin EMS Chief Bill Plunkett. "We were trying to cycle them in and out of the rehab area and provided treatment to a few of them who had minor problems. We did not have any severe injuries or illnesses."
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Technical Rescue from Residential Home
Baldwin EMS
personnel responded to an unconscious female patient. When EMS
personnel arrived on scene it was determined that due to the patients’
large size a technical rescue plan had to be devised to remove the
patient from her home. Care was rendered to the patient and an existing
window opening was widened and a rope and ladder fulcrum was used by EMS
Rescue personnel with help of the Pleasant Hills VFC to extricate the
patient.
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Motor Vehicle Crash, Two Vehicles, both drivers trapped
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EMS Units responded to a MVC with unknown injuries around the 1200 block of Glass Run road. While enroute EMS was updated by dispatch that Baldwin PD was on scene confirming entrapment in one vehicle. 510 C1 arrived on scene and assumed Glass Run Command. Rescue 510 arrived on scene and positioned a right block in front of Vehicle 1. Vehicle 1 was a late model Hyundai Elantra (4 door) with moderate front end damage. Vehicle 2 was a GMC 1500 Comcast truck (2 door with a cap) which was located approximately 100 feet away from Vehicle 1. Rescue 510 began extrication on vehicle 1. Utilizing four step chocks under each corner of the vehicle. After stabilization was completed the preconnected hydraulic spreaders were used to displace the drivers’ side door. Spreader placement was at the top corner against the “A” post and the door was rolled outward and down. Spreaders were then placed above the top hinge to completely displace the hinge from the A post in a downward manner. Second placement of the Spreaders was above the bottom hinge also utilizing a downward manner to displace the bottom hinge. After both hinges were displaced a pair of 8” Linesman cutters was used to shear the wiring harness to completely remove the door from the vehicle. During the extrication stage EMT Federico was inside the car working as the inside rescuer.
Vehicle 2 also having moderate drivers side front end damage was also in need of patient extrication. The Engine 105 crew stabilized the vehicle by using four step chocks in each corner of the vehicle. Paramedic McGreehan then entered the vehicle, began patient assessment and covered the patient with a blanket. Extrication was completed by 510 L1 and 105 Firefighters using Holomatro Spreaders and Cutters. The drivers’ side door was partially opened at the “A” post as a result of the collision. This slight opening provided a starting point to place the spreaders to fully extend the door. Hydraulic cutters were then used to shear top and bottom hinges. Cutters were also used to cut the wiring harness for a complete door removal from the vehicle. Medic 514 completed patient care and patient removal from the truck. Both patients were transported to local hospitals. Units on Scene: EMS - Rescue 510, 510 C-1, Medic 514 and Medic 511 Police - Baldwin PD Officers - Kearns, Jones, Cortazzo and Vatter Fire - Stations 105 and 292 |
ATV Crash in wooded area - male with multiple injuries (see pictures below narrative)
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On January 28, 2007 at 18:25 hrs. EMS and Police units were dispatched to a reported ATV accident involving one male patient. The roadways were slippery from a snow squall that had just blanketed the area. The ambient temperature at the time of dispatch registered at 17 degrees. Dispatch reported that the male flipped his ATV backwards on top of himself. Rescue 510 and Medic 514 responded from the station. Medic 512 and EMT Sacco remained at the station and prepared UC-480 for deployment. 510-C1 and 510-L1 were also enroute to the scene. R510, M514 and 510-L1 arrived on scene at 18:35 hrs. 510-L1 assumed EMS command. Bystanders were on scene reporting that the Pt was approximately 1-1.5 miles into the wooded area. Command advised UC-480 to respond to this location. Several other ATV operators reported that the Pt was attempting to ride his ATV up a hillside when his ATV rolled backwards approximately 3 times on top of himself. They also reported that the ATV was currently not on the Pt. Crews utilized the light tower on R510 for additional scene lighting. Crews on scene started staging equipment for deployment into the wooded area. The stokes basket, packaging bags, 300 ft. lifeline rope, rope hardware, and the over-the-hill bag were all removed from R510. A 1000 ml bag of warmed saline was also removed from Medic 514. Baldwin Borough Police Department was enroute to the scene with their police ATV and stokes trailer. Medic 512 arrived on scene. Utility 510 arrived on scene with UC-480. Command advised crews to utilize UC-480 for deployment. 510-L3 and EMT Dziki utilized UC-480 with the over-the-hill bag, Paramedic Mounts was riding with Prism Unit 110. Crews began their response to the Pt at 18:51 hrs. One of the ATV operators offered to lead the way for emergency personnel to the patient. Crews began their ascent up mountainous terrain with zero visibility, following their civilian guide up the snow and ice covered hillside. The crews encountered several narrow passes and ridges as they continued their ascent to the patient. When crews reached a narrow part of the trail, the Prism Unit 110 could not proceed. Paramedic Mounts then transferred onto UC-480. EMS personnel arrived at the patient at 19:00 hrs. Pt was found lying supine on a hill side. This hillside was noted to be approximately 30 feet high. Crews began assessing the patient’s injuries. Pt reported that he was wearing a helmet at the time of his crash but was not currently wearing the helmet. Pt was complaining of pain in multiple sites in his upper body as well as dyspnea. Pt was wearing multiple layers of clothing; making it difficult to assess him. The patient’s right coat sleeve was cut with trauma shears for IV access. Paramedic Mounts successfully started an IV in the Pt’s right wrist. Warm saline was wrapped with 2 hot packs and a trauma dressing in an effort to keep the IV from freezing. Pt was placed on oxygen via a non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm. The patient’s chest was partially exposed and one hot pack was placed under each of the Pts armpits. His lung sounds were assessed and then one stethoscope was taped to the patient’s chest wall at the mid- axillary bilaterally and left in place. The patient’s upper left arm sleeve was cut with trauma shears and a blood pressure cuff was placed on the patient’s arm and left in place. STAT MedEvac 4 arrived on scene and hovered above the rescue site to provide scene lighting. Baldwin Borough Police Dept. ATV reported that they were enroute to our location with additional equipment. Pt was reassessed and began to complain of being cold along with his previous complaints that remained unchanged. BBPD ATV with a hitched litter carrier arrived at the rescue site location. Pts O2 was transferred over to a new D-tank. Pt was log-rolled onto a back board and fully immobilized. The stokes basket from Rescue 510 was dressed out in three layers. A tarp was unfolded on the bottom, 2 foil tarps were placed in the middle and 2 heavy wool blankets were placed on the top. Pt was then placed into the stokes basket and covered with all three layers. A rope needle-and-thread latching method along with stokes basket straps were used to secure the patient. The stokes basket was then secured to the litter carrier being towed by BBPD ATV. The rescue team then began to descend down the hill at 1931 hrs with EMS rescuers walking alongside the towed patient litter so they could continuously monitor the patient’s condition. UC-480 followed behind carrying the medical supplies. Crews reached the Command and Staging area. Pt was transferred onto the Medic 512 stretcher and placed in the back for transport at 19:46 hrs. Pt was transported to a local trauma center by Medic 512. After Pt was transported all units on scene returned in service. Read above narrative that describes the evolution of this rescue call and pictures below
Units Responding EMS Baldwin EMS: 510-C1, 510-L1, Rescue 510, Medic 514, Medic 512, Utility 510 and UC-480 Prism Health Services: Unit 110, Medic 671 Police Baldwin PD: Sgt. Cavlovic, Ofc. Fails, Ofc. Henderson, Ofc. Miller (Operator of BBPD ATV) West Mifflin PD
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Motor Vehicle Crash - two vehicles, with injuries
Medic 512 was enroute to a hospital with a patient and came upon a two-vehicle crash with injuries along a busy highway intersection in our primary response area. One crew member of Medic 512 alerted County 911, established Command and requested additional EMS respond as well as police units to assist with traffic and fire units to manage fluid and debris clean-up. Two (2) patients who were c/o of injuries were treated and transported to a hospital. Fire personnel assisted EMS crews with patient immobilization and movement to the ambulance. Safe Emergency Vehicle Positioning Practices, Use of Traffic Cones and High Visibility Personal Protective Equipment aided in making the scene safer for all responders.
Responding Units: Medic 512 (came upon the accident), Medic 514 and Rescue 510, PHVFC units and PHPD units
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Motor Vehicle Crash, two vehicles, with injuries
On a very hot and humid afternoon, EMS crews were dispatched to a two vehicle crash with reported injuries. The initial arriving EMS Chief, established Command and instructed arriving crews as to scene hazards and the number of patients. Crews stabilized the vehicles and began treating two patients. Both patients were treated and transported to local hospitals for further treatment and evaluation.
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Motor Vehicle Crash, single vehicle on its side, with entrapped driver
EMS crews arrived on scene to find a single vehicle crash. The vehicle appeared to have struck a utility pole and came to rest on the drivers side of the vehicle, entrapping the driver. The crash impact resulted in the entire rear axle being separating from the vehicle. Crews stabilized the vehicle using Kodiak and Capabear buttress systems and then gained access to the patient through the rear window of the vehicle. Care was provided to the patient while crews created a pathway to safely remove the patient using air chisel and hydraulic cutters. The patient was immobilized and extricated from the vehicle and taken to an ambulance and transported to a trauma center. All of the photographs that are displayed below were taken after the patient was removed from the vehicle and the clean-up process was underway to prepare for the next call
Motor Vehicle Crash, Crews initiate high-risk protocol
EMS dispatched to a single vehicle crash with the driver complaining of injury. The crews extricated the patient were photographed preparing the patient for transport to a trauma center for further evaluation and treatment.
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Motor Vehicle Crash, Route 51 North Bound with one vehicle on top of the other
Crews arrived on scene to
find a total of three vehicles involved in a rear-end type collision. The
collision resulted in one of the vehicles coming to a rest on top of another.
Four (4) people were in the top car with three (3) of them complained of minor
injuries. Crews used Kodiak Struts, Capabear Struts, and cribbing to stabilize
each car. The two cars were then strapped together to complete the
stabilization process. The patients in the vehicle were not trapped and once
the cars were stable, they were removed to longboards without incident.
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Motor Vehicle Crash with Multiple Injuries and Entrapment
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EMS units were dispatched to a multiple vehicle crash with injuries, entrapment and possible fire. Initial arriving units reported a two-vehicle crash with significant damage. One patient was found lying on the ground, a second patient trapped inside one of the vehicles as well as a third patient walking at the scene. As additional personnel arrived on scene, both vehicles were stabilized and tools and equipment from Rescue 50 readied to gain access to the pinned driver. Access was gained to the trapped driver through a window and treatment initiated inside the vehicle. Hydraulic spreaders, cutters and ram were used to remove the driver's side front and rear doors, raise the dashboard and roof to create an extrication pathway in order to extricate the driver. The patient lying on the ground and the driver of the other vehicle were treated by additional EMS personnel. All three patients were transported to a trauma center. The Fire Dept. supplied a hose line during extrication. The photos below were taken post extrication and transport of the patients.
Responding units: Medic 51, 52, 53, 54, Rescue 50, 510 C-1 and 510 L-1 Multiple Baldwin Police Units Option Fire Dept. |
Motor Vehicle Crash with Both Drivers Trapped
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EMS units were dispatched to a multi-vehicle accident with reported entrapment. Initial arriving units found two vehicles with heavy front-end damage from what appeared to be an apparent near head-on collision. Both drivers (the only patients) were trapped within their vehicles. Mutual aid rescue assistance was requested from Pittsburgh EMS. The ambulance crews assisted with rapid vehicle stabilization and then initiated simultaneous treatment of the injured drivers. The two EMS rescue crews, aided by Fire Dept. personnel freed both drivers after removing doors with a combination of hydraulic spreaders and cutters and after performing a dashboard lift using hydarulic rams. Both patients were transported to a trauma center. The photos below were taken post extrication at a nearby salvage facility. Responding Units: Medic 53 and Medic 54, Rescue 50, 510 C-2 and 510 L-1 Multiple Baldwin Police Units Baldwin Fire Dept |
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Motor Vehicle Crash with Entrapment
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EMS units responded to a MVC with entrapment. Upon arrival, it was determined that an elderly male was still inside a two-door Chevy Cavalier that had crashed into a driveway and rolled onto it's side. Crews provided ALS care and removed the victim from the car. The car had to be stabilized with tension buttress stabilization and a portion of the roof had to be removed in order to extricate the patient. The patient was transported to a trauma facility. Responding Units: Medic 51 (ALS unit and Primary Care), Medic 54, Rescue 50, 510 C-1 Baldwin police Units 2, 4, 11 and 12 Baldwin Fire Dept. |
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Motor Vehicle Crash - Severe Trauma
EMS was dispatched to a motor vehicle crash with reported injuries. Snowfall had begun earlier in the day, making road and working conditions difficult. The EMS Chief arrived first on scene and reported a mid-size vehicle that has crashed head-on into a tractor trailer. The single occupant of the car was entrapped in the vehicle. Crews stabilized the vehicle and gained access to the unconscious patient with severe facial trauma. The patient was disentangled and extricated from the vehicle and transported to the hospital
