The jaws-of life was used to free the driver of a vehicle that crashed into a tree on Highway 15 South in the Landrum community of Jones County early Friday morning, July 20.

At approximately 8:15 a.m. volunteer first responders and rescue units from Glade, Powers and M&M responded to the accident where a maroon Chevrolet Blazer, which was apparently traveling south on Highway 15 South, left the road on the opposite side of the highway for unknown reasons, traveled down a steep embankment and plowed into a tree. The vehicle bounced back approximately five feet from the tree and the driver was trapped inside.

Using the jaws-of-life, volunteer rescuers were able to pop open the driver’s door and free the 37-year old man from the vehicle. He was transported to SCRMC by EMServ ambulance service with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.

Also responding to the scene were medical first responder and Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna, Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP).

One lane of Highway 15 South was closed while rescue operations were performed and the highway was completely closed for over 20 minutes while vehicle recovery operations were performed.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation by MHP.