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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>Around 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, the Burton and Bluffton Fire Districts, along with Beaufort County EMS, responded to a head-on vehicle collision on S.C. Hwy. 170 near the Broad River Bridge which resulted in critical injuries.</p>
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<p>One vehicle crossed the median/traffic and struck the other vehicle about a half mile west of the bridge.</p>
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<p>An off-duty Lady’s Island/St. Helena Fire District Fire Lieutenant, John Thompson, was first to arrive and reported possible occupants trapped with critical injuries.</p>
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<p>Responders arrived on scene, and while there were no trapped occupants, firefighters and EMS personnel began stabilizing and treating two people with what appeared to be critical injuries. A medical helicopter was requested but was unable to fly due to the weather.</p>
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<p>One driver was transported to Savannah Memorial Hospital, and the other to Beaufort Memorial Hospital. The two drivers of the vehicles were the only occupants.</p>
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<p>Both westbound lanes, and one east bound lane were closed for nearly two hours while emergency crews worked.</p>
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