thedrifter
03-15-08, 08:01 AM
Injured Marine stranded for hours after motorcycle accident
Published Fri, Mar 14, 2008 4:59 PM
By BEN PILLOW
bpillow@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5537
A seriously injured Marine was stranded for hours overnight after apparently running his motorcycle off the road and into a wooded area early Friday morning near Harrington and Godfrey streets in Beaufort, according to authorities.
Beaufort Fire Department officials believe the single-vehicle accident occurred at about 1 a.m., but emergency crews weren't called to the scene until 7:54 a.m.
"The guy just laid there all morning until someone finally saw him and called 911," Beaufort fire marshal Lt. Dan Byrne said.
Lt. Josiah Nicely, deputy director of public affairs at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot, identified the injured Marine as Staff Sgt. Shaun Dirkach, 31.
Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services personnel treated Dirkach at the scene and took him to Beaufort Memorial Hospital. He was later flown by helicopter to Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, where he was listed in critical condition Friday afternoon.
Firefighters found an unconscious Dirkach lying facedown about 20 feet from the motorcycle. Byrne said Dirkach was not wearing a helmet when found, and firefighters believe he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident based on the nature of his injuries.
It is unclear if Dirkach was the operator of the motorcycle or a passenger, according to Byrne, but authorities found nothing to indicate another person was involved in the accident.
An area resident told firefighters he heard what sounded like an accident at about 1 a.m. and investigated, but he found nothing. Byrne said the progression of Dirkach's injuries and temperature of the motorcycle indicated the accident occurred hours before the Marine was found.
Active-duty Marines are required to wear a helmet, a reflective safety vest, gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and boots above the ankles anytime they are riding a motorcycle, on or off a military installation. Disciplinary action for any infraction is at the discretion of commanding officers, according to the Parris Island public affairs office.
Beaufort firefighters also responded to a two-vehicle accident that slowed traffic on Boundary Street for more than 30 minutes after noon Friday. Byrne said two occupants were taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries in that accident, which occurred in front of the Hess Mart at 2260 Boundary St.
Ellie
Published Fri, Mar 14, 2008 4:59 PM
By BEN PILLOW
bpillow@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5537
A seriously injured Marine was stranded for hours overnight after apparently running his motorcycle off the road and into a wooded area early Friday morning near Harrington and Godfrey streets in Beaufort, according to authorities.
Beaufort Fire Department officials believe the single-vehicle accident occurred at about 1 a.m., but emergency crews weren't called to the scene until 7:54 a.m.
"The guy just laid there all morning until someone finally saw him and called 911," Beaufort fire marshal Lt. Dan Byrne said.
Lt. Josiah Nicely, deputy director of public affairs at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot, identified the injured Marine as Staff Sgt. Shaun Dirkach, 31.
Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services personnel treated Dirkach at the scene and took him to Beaufort Memorial Hospital. He was later flown by helicopter to Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, where he was listed in critical condition Friday afternoon.
Firefighters found an unconscious Dirkach lying facedown about 20 feet from the motorcycle. Byrne said Dirkach was not wearing a helmet when found, and firefighters believe he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident based on the nature of his injuries.
It is unclear if Dirkach was the operator of the motorcycle or a passenger, according to Byrne, but authorities found nothing to indicate another person was involved in the accident.
An area resident told firefighters he heard what sounded like an accident at about 1 a.m. and investigated, but he found nothing. Byrne said the progression of Dirkach's injuries and temperature of the motorcycle indicated the accident occurred hours before the Marine was found.
Active-duty Marines are required to wear a helmet, a reflective safety vest, gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and boots above the ankles anytime they are riding a motorcycle, on or off a military installation. Disciplinary action for any infraction is at the discretion of commanding officers, according to the Parris Island public affairs office.
Beaufort firefighters also responded to a two-vehicle accident that slowed traffic on Boundary Street for more than 30 minutes after noon Friday. Byrne said two occupants were taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries in that accident, which occurred in front of the Hess Mart at 2260 Boundary St.
Ellie