RAF Mildenhall responds to vehicle collision near main gate

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Base emergency services responded in conjunction with British authorities to a vehicle collision involving three cars on Shippea Hill Road near the main gate Jan. 6. 

The fire department dispatched three vehicles and crews to the scene to mitigate the emergency, while Ministry of Defence Police, Suffolk Police, and 100th Security Forces Squadron personnel assisted with traffic control. 

"Rescue 3 provided medical and basic life support, including initial assessment, immediate treatment and other relevant emergency life saving actions," said Staff Sgt. Marcus Ring, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department communications NCOIC for fire and emergency services. Rescue 3 also ended up using automobile extrication equipment on one of the vehicles. This equipment is used in order to safely remove a victim from a damaged vehicle. They cut the vehicle so as to not exacerbate the patient's suspected injuries." 

An ambulance from RAF Lakenheath was dispatched to the scene to transport the injured to the hospital. Two of the three drivers were treated and released for minor injuries. The 48th Medical Group provides ambulance coverage to RAFs Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell, but sometimes responds to incidents off base depending on where they are needed. 

"We have a hotline with the local ambulance service, to respond anywhere within their jurisdiction if we're closer," said Master Sgt. Bob Winovich, 48th MDG Emergency Services Flight chief. "It's not often, but we do support when requested. We're here to serve - if we can help, we're there. It could be my family or your family. It's important. If they call for help, we'll respond." 

Police Constable Mark Baker, MoD police, said the response kept a bad situation from becoming worse. 

"By the time we arrived, traffic was already a mess," he said. "The recovery went very well, very smoothly. Everyone did their bit. It was all quite professionally done. People were moaning about the traffic delays, but given the circumstances, I don't think it could have gone any better."