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This Ford Explorer came to rest 20-30 feet inside the Sears store at Liberty Fair Mall. (Bulletin photo by Paul Collins)
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Sunday, August 9, 2009
By GINNY WRAY - Bulletin Staff Writer
A Patrick Springs man was trapped under a vehicle that ran into the Sears store in Liberty Fair Mall on Saturday afternoon.
Don Arthur Plaster, 54, an employee of Sears, was trapped under the 2002 Ford Explorer that traveled 20 to 30 feet inside the pickup/delivery area of Sears, according to Martinsville Police Lt. R.A. Turner.
It took emergency personnel 30 minutes or so to free the victim from under the rear axle of the vehicle, according to Capt. Bennie Gray of the Martinsville Fire and EMS Department.
Turner said the fire department used air bags to jack up the Explorer and remove Plaster.
After being freed, Plaster was airlifted to a medical facility, Turner said, but he did not know where. He added that Plaster apparently suffered broken bones.
The Explorer was driven by James Martin Wilson, 73, of Martinsville, who was charged with reckless driving on private property, a misdemeanor, Turner said. Wilson was not hurt in the accident, Turner added.
The Explorer was outside the store to pick up something when the driver’s foot allegedly slipped off the brake, Turner said. The car was in reverse and went through the outside sliding glass doors and an inside set of doors before coming to rest between the two sets of doors, the lieutenant added.
Two other Sears employees also were struck by the vehicle but they were not trapped, Turner said. Brian Saunders Martin, 22, of Fieldale, had a possible shoulder injury and cuts, he said. Lottie Warren Walker, 53, of Martinsville, also was hurt, but Turner did not know the nature of her injuries.
Both were taken to Memorial Hospital, he added. A hospital spokesman said both Martin and Walker were treated there and released.
There were three or four people outside the entrance when the incident happened at 1:42 p.m. but they remained calm, Turner said.
He said damage to the Explorer was estimated at $2,000, but he had no estimate for the building. A Sears official said the store would have no comment.
Martinsville Fire Department and volunteers along with the Fieldale-Collinsville Rescue Squad responded to the incident, Turner said. |
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