On the 11th, Firefighter Kim Joo-hoon, who was returning home after attending a colleague's wedding, conducted rescue operations at the scene of a multi-vehicle collision on the Gyeongbu Expressway. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Sumi Hwang] A firefighter who was returning home after attending a colleague's wedding on a holiday witnessed a multi-vehicle collision on the highway and quickly responded to save a seriously injured driver.
According to the Fire Agency on the 18th, firefighter Kim Juhun (27) from the Gamgok 119 Safety Center of the Eumseong Fire Station in Chungbuk rescued a critically injured driver with prompt first aid at the scene of a traffic accident near Jukam Rest Area on the Seoul-bound side of the Gyeongbu Expressway at around 2:50 p.m. on the 11th of this month. At the time, firefighter Kim was returning home after attending a colleague's wedding.
The accident occurred when a passenger car attempting to change lanes collided with a bus. Subsequently, the bus crashed into two vehicles ahead in succession.
Witnessing this, firefighter Kim immediately reported the accident to the 119 control center. He then parked his vehicle on the shoulder and approached the most severely damaged vehicle, opened the door, and assessed the driver's condition. Upon discovering a fracture in the driver's left thigh, he promptly administered first aid.
A Fire Agency official explained, "The large muscles in the thigh have a strong contraction force, so when the thigh bone is fractured, the sharp edges of the bone can cause serious damage to tissues and arteries, making initial emergency treatment extremely important."
After handing over the patient to the arriving 119 paramedics, firefighter Kim stayed at the scene to assist with patient triage and other activities until additional paramedics arrived before leaving.
Kim, who majored in emergency medical services at university, is a third-year firefighter appointed in November 2018 through a special recruitment for the emergency medical field.
He said, "I instinctively ran to the accident vehicle when I witnessed the accident. Saving lives is a natural duty as a firefighter."
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