Hwy. 19 collision leaves van, driver burned

This 2018 Banner-News file photo shows the Magnolia Fire Department and other emergency agencies in action during a fire. A vehicle collision and ensuing blaze severely burned a man Thursday in Magnolia, according to the department.
This 2018 Banner-News file photo shows the Magnolia Fire Department and other emergency agencies in action during a fire. A vehicle collision and ensuing blaze severely burned a man Thursday in Magnolia, according to the department.

A two-vehicle collision and ensuing fire resulted in one man trapped and severely burned Thursday in Magnolia.

The victim’s name and current condition have not been released by authorities, but the Magnolia Fire Department reported Friday that the driver of a service van at around 12:51 p.m. Nov. 14 collided into the rear-end of an 18-wheeler on Hwy. 19 S., just south of the Magnolia city limits and barely survived the ordeal.

“A few more minutes and I don’t think he would have made it,” said Randal Stevens, assistant chief at MFD.

A Friday afternoon Facebook post from the Magnolia Fire Department’s homepage also detailed the incident.

“The victim’s leg was pinned in the vehicle and the fire continued to grow, severely burning the man,” the report said.

The big-rig hauler truck was slightly damaged -- charred taillights and rear-end -- but was road operational. Its driver was unharmed in the incident. The service van was a total loss.

A medical evacuation helicopter was also witnessed at the scene Thursday. Emergency personnel from the Magnolia Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, and Columbia County Ambulance Service were on hand, along with the firefighters.

“When they arrived, one of the firemen stood over the man spraying him with water and shielding him from the flames and heat,” said the MFD statement.

Jaws-of-life were also used to free the victim’s leg from under the van’s dashboard and he was then pulled out of the vehicle by a police officer, according the fire department.

“This man was minutes, if not seconds from dying in the fire,” said the MFD statement. “If you ask a fireman, paramedic, or law enforcement officer, they will just say they are doing their jobs. The truth is, they are performing great acts of heroism. If you see a CCAS paramedic, Magnolia police officer, or Magnolia Fireman out and about, tell them thanks for doing what they do.”

Magnolia's fire department was on the scene for around two hours.

The state police and MFD on Friday were still investigating the cause of the accident and the fire. The Magnolia Fire Department did not know the current condition of the victim, but indicated that he likely suffered "life-altering" burns from what the officers witnessed.

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