Accokeek woman rescued from snow covered vehicle by PGFD and National Guard Humvee

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDPIO

Prince George’s County Firefighter/Medics and members of the Maryland National Guard rescued a female that has been living in her car for some time but became trapped inside since the start of the blizzard.

At about 6:00 pm, Monday, January 25, a resident in the 16400 block of Newasa Lane in Accokeek contacted Public Safety Communications.  The calling party was concerned about a vehicle located near his residence and the possibility someone was inside the car buried under the high snow.

Fire/EMS units from Accokeek were dispatched to the area but were unable to access the vehicle in question due to deep snow on unplowed Newasa Lane.  A Humvee from the Maryland Army National Guard 110th assigned to work with firefighter/medics from the nearby Allentown Road Fire/EMS Station reported to the scene. 

Guard members Captain John Rodriguez and Staff Sargent Derek Meddings were joined by firefighter/medics on board the Humvee.  The National Guard Humvee motored through the deep snow on Newasa Lane and came upon the vehicle with an adult female inside.  The scene was located on property owned by the vehicle occupant who apparently was living inside of her vehicle.  Snow covered, out of gas and warmed only by blankets she had in the car the adult female was assisted out of the vehicle and loaded onto a stokes basket with additional blankets. 

While not totally agreeing to leave her vehicle it was determined that transportation to a hospital was in her best interest for evaluation and treatment.  The patient was loaded into the rear of the Humvee and taken to a plowed and cleared secondary street where the ambulance from Accokeek awaited.  She was treated for hypothermia and transported to a nearby hospital.

This is just one great example of the work performed by the Maryland Army National Guard during this winter event.  Their vehicle capabilities and training have served the citizens of Prince George’s County very well.


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