Nov. 11 Vehicle Over the Side Rescue

Описание: ROPE RESCUE HAULS MOUNTAIN ACCIDENT VICTIM TO SAFETY

STATE HWY 18 WEST OF BIG BEAR LAKE: #SBCoFD led a multi-agency effort involving technical rope rescue to save an accident victim whose car had plunged hundreds of feet over a mountainside this morning.

The response was initiated by the adult female patient, who was injured but had the ability to call 911 for help and just get out of the vehicle. Her exact location was eventually pinpointed, and crews arrived to find her car badly damaged and over 200 feet down a rocky slope near an area referred to as the “Arctic Circle” west of Big Bear Lake.

Initial rescuers hiked down to the patient to begin immediate paramedic-level treatment for what were determined to be moderate to severe injuries. From there, crews set up a rescue system to lower a litter and additional rescuers who would then haul the patient back up. Four rescuers tended a litter as crews above used a mechanical advantage rope system to haul the patient safely to an ambulance. From there the patient was taken to a waiting @airmethods helicopter, for transport to a regional trauma center.

The California Highway Patrol will now investigate the cause of the accident. State Hwy. 18 in this area is especially winding, although the road itself at this point is reasonably flat and conditions were dry. The car went through a guardrail and over the side.

Crews in this area train for these scenarios. Company 91 from Lake Arrowhead is a designated Technical Rescue house and its members specialize in these skills. County Fire’s robotics unit provided a drone offering real-time visuals to the incident commander from above.

In all, a total of four engine companies, one ground ambulance, one battalion chief, the robotics unit and a training officer responded.

Crews arrived just after 10 a.m., completing the rescue in about an hour and a half, with the patient under paramedic care throughout.

Such incidents require agencies to work together. County Fire thanks cooperators @BigBearFireAuthority, BDF Fire, Arrowbear Lake Fire, and CHP -Arrowhead.