Lakeside firefighters rescued two passengers from a rollover accident February 22. At 10:08 PM, the Heartland Communications Center dispatched one engine company, one rescue company, and an ALS ambulance and Battalion Chief to the 14000 block of Highway 8 business in the Johnston community, Captain Mark Grow of Lakeside Fire District reported at http://lakesidefiredist.blogspot.com/.

Battalion 1 arrived within minutes to find a vehicle on its roof with two occupants inside. San Diego Sheriffs had also arrived and were attempting to communicate with the occupants.

On the arrival of Rescue 3 and Medic 3 (Johnstown Station) emergency workers determined that the passenger had become entangled in her shoulder belt and it had become wrapped around her neck during the roll-over. Crews immediately breached the vehicle and cut her free of the entanglement.

E26s (Blossom Valley Station) arrived and assisted crews in stabilizing the vehicle and started cutting operations to remove the occupants. After crews had removed the doors they were able to free both occupants. An additional ALS ambulance was requested and both occupants were transported to the Trauma Center at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

Although one of the occupants became entangled in her shoulder belt, it was determined that had she not been wearing her seat belt she would have likely been ejected from the car when it overturned.

Eleven Lakeside Firefighters were on-scene during this incident. Currently the CHP is investigating the cause of the accident.