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Airman, Soldier assist collision victims

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Servicemembers from Whiteman, an Airman and a Soldier, assisted victims of a two-vehicle collision, April 9, 2010, near intersection M-131 and U.S. Highway 50, in Pittsville, Mo.

"As I crested a hill, about a half mile from the intersection; I caught a glimpse of the underside of a pickup truck mid-roll just prior to seeing a huge dust cloud erupt around it," said Capt. John Speer, 509th Bomb Wing executive officer and B-2 pilot. "Then I saw a car cross the median and come to an abrupt stop; prior to crossing my lane of traffic."

From that instant, he could tell there was a possibility someone could be seriously injured, or worse.

Captain Speer said he initially pulled over because he thought he could offer his help.

"I have logged many hours in Self-Aid Buddy Care training and wanted to do what I could to assist," he said.

Seconds after Captain Speer made his initial assessment, Warrant Officer 1 John Taylor, 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion apache pilot, pulled up after him.

"I stopped because I noticed that there weren't any first responders yet," said Mr. Taylor. "My Army training has taught me to assist. Additionally, I asked myself, 'What if that was my family?'"

According to Captain Speer, a Missouri highway patrolman informed the servicemembers that the injuries in the truck were minor compared to the injuries in the car, so they chose to attend to the individuals in the car first until medical help arrived.

"Thinking quickly, Mr. Taylor retrieved a towel from his vehicle, which we used to restrain the male drivers in an attempt to immobilize him as much as possible," Captain Speer said. "The injured party was in shock, bloody, and was attempting to claw at his head; which would have further aggravated his wound."

The duo worked side-by-side and performed what first-aid they were able to administer through the broken window of the car.

"In the midst of the commotion, Mr. Taylor managed to assist the 20-year-old pregnant passenger of the car and kept her calm and immobile," Captain Speer said. "Then we started working to speed the couple's extrication from the car and assisted the emergency medical technicians and firemen who arrived on scene several minutes later."

According to Captain Speer, Mr. Taylor was instrumental in removing the injured male from the car. Disoriented from the crash, the wounded driver of the car became somewhat combative. Without Mr. Taylor's assistance, pulling the individual from the car would have been difficult, and he may have sustained greater injury to himself.

The driver of the car suffered serious injuries, and the occupant experienced moderate injuries according to www.mshp.dps.mo.gov.

The driver and the passenger of the truck suffered moderate and minor injuries. The four victims were taken to a medical facility for treatment.

Although both servicemembers work on Whiteman, they didn't know each other prior to accident, but their military training allowed them to work together seamlessly.