Spectacular Rescue Involving Big Rig vs. BMW

Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded to a vehicle accident involving a semi-truck, that was actually three incidents in one. 

1. Tractor trailer rig fully engulfed in fire.

2. Teetering vehicle on a freeway bridge railing with the drivers legs dangling outside of the vehicle with her 10 year old daughter and 10-week old baby inside the vehicle requiring over 1:20 hours to extricate the first victim and work toward completion of the rescue extrication.

3. Hazardous materials release with spilled diesel fuel into a creek.

The first priority was life safety for both the occupants of the vehicle and the firefighters. The dedication, courage and commitment to rescuing the vehicle occupants successfully. Stabilizing the vehicle was the primary objective with divine intervention playing a major role... Navy SeaBee's were stuck in traffic, very close to the incident and were able to offer and provide assistance with a forklift used to stabilize the vehicle.

This incident was spectacular and well orchestrated by my department. And of course, I could not be prouder of my department!

Mike Schlags, Fire Captain (Retd.)

Santa Barbara County Fire Department

Local News Updates:

One Dead After Big Rig Accident on Highway 101 in Three Bridges Area

SOUTH OF BUELLTON - One person is dead after a big rig accident on Highway 101, just south of Santa Rosa Road in the Three Bridges area.As of 3:45 p.m., northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 101, south of Buellton, have been closed.

Travelers are being re-routed onto Highway 154.

The accident happened just after 3 p.m., involving an 18 wheel big rig truck and two other vehicles.

The driver of the big rig truck has reportedly died from his injuries.

According to the California Highway Patrol, three other patients are still trapped in the other two vehicles involved.

Santa Barbara County Fire officials have also called out the HAZMAT team to contain a chemical spill, that could have made its way into the Santa Ynez River.

Driver and Victims Identified From Deadly Big Rig Accident

SOUTH OF BUELLTON - The California Highway Patrol has identified the man who died while driving a big rig truck that crashed just south of Buellton, Thursday afternoon.

48 year old Charles Allison was driving a big rig truck registered to R/R. Wrecker in Arroyo Grande when for an unknown reason he crashed into a BMW, causing the truck to drive over the bridge.

36 year old Kelli Groves of San Juan Capo was driving with her 10 year old and 10 week old daughters.

All three are being treated at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara with moderate injuries.

One lane of Highway 101 is currently shut down but is expected to be reopened later in the day.

CHP Officers and Caltrans officials were on the scene most of the night investigating the crash and structure of the bridge that was damaged in the wreck.

To read more about this story, click here:
http://www.kcoy.com/story/16512144/deadly-crash-shuts-down-hwy-101-...

To see the post incident video and ABC News video, click here:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/rescuers-saving-family-dangling-car...

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/family-rescued-car-dangling-off-bri...