Watertown Fire Rescue Assists in Complex Extrication Following Pickup Roll-Over

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) units were dispatched yesterday to a complex vehicle extrication request, successfully assisting local agencies in freeing a trapped driver from a half-ton pickup that had rolled onto its side and was “leaning over a bridge.”

The incident presented challenges, as a bridge support beam had penetrated the vehicle's passenger compartment, trapping the driver within the wreckage alongside several structural components of the pickup.

WFR dispatched Medic 4 and Battalion 1 to the scene to support the Estelline Fire Department. WFR personnel were instrumental in coordinating specialized extrication operations and providing patient care during the high-stress rescue.

A critical component of the successful operation was the support provided by Performance Towing, which stabilized the half-ton pickup to ensure the safety of the rescue crews and prevent the vehicle from falling entirely from the bridge.

The multi-agency response also included traffic control assistance from the Deuel County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol, ensuring a secure environment for emergency operations.

Through the coordinated efforts of all involved agencies, the patient was successfully extricated from the vehicle. The individual was then transported to Prairie Lakes Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The successful outcome underscores the value of inter-departmental collaboration and specialized training in handling high-acuity incidents.