COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. – A Charlotte woman managed to call 911 with her toes after her hands were crushed by her car while changing her tire.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue says the 54-year-old woman was traveling on a rural stretch of I-95 in South Carolina when she got the flat tire Sunday night.
Officials say the woman pulled over into the breakdown lane, removed the flat tire and was replacing it when the jack holding up her car slipped, causing the vehicle to fall and crush both of her hands between the tire and the fender.
Over the next 35 minutes, crews say the woman was able to slip one of her shoes off and manipulate her cell phone. After several attempts, she was able to dial 911 with her toes and advise them of her predicament, according to the fire department.
Firefighters were called to the scene shortly before 7 p.m. Upon arrival, crews used a prybar to free one of the woman’s hands. More first responders arrived and used a “Holmatro Hydraulic Spreader” to lift the car and free the woman’s other hand.
The woman advised she was trapped for about 45 minutes.
The fire department says the woman suffered severe damage to both hands and all fingers. Paramedics treated her injuries and administered pain medications at the scene before transporting her to an area hospital.
