News

AFD improvises to free child pinned under SUV within six minutes

By James Cullum
Alexandria Fire Department (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A juvenile is expected to make a full recovery after getting struck and pinned under an SUV in Alexandria’s West End.

The girl was struck and pinned under the front axle of the vehicle in the 600 block of N. Ripley Street, near Holmes Run Parkway on the night of Tuesday, Oct. 6. Multiple people called in the incident around 7:10 p.m.

Alexandria Fire Department personnel improvised by using ground ladders for leverage to lift the blue Toyota RAV4 and safely remove her. The child was freed in under six minutes and transported to Children’s National Hospital in D.C.

Firefighters and medical personnel from AFD’s Engine 208 and Tower 208 were the first units at the scene and decided to use the ladders, as heavy extraction equipment hadn’t yet arrived, AFD said in a news release.

The department credits its first responders for their teamwork, problem-solving and ability to adapt under pressure.

“The incident demonstrates the importance of sound decision-making and coordinated emergency response when specialized equipment is not immediately available,” AFD said.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.