A driver had a miraculous escape when they were rescued by firefighters four days after their truck plunged 100ft down a ravine, leaving them stranded.
Crews from Kern County Fire Department in remote California managed to rescue the driver using a system of ropes and pullies to send three firefighters into the Tehachapi Mountains cliffs. Once down they discovered the driver’s truck had become badly damaged and the individual was injured.
Their vehicle had left the road off Comanche Point Road between the communities of Arvin and Stallion Springs on August 29. But weren’t spotted by passers-by until 10.58am on September 2.
Rescuers eventually managed to get the driver back to the roadside using a stokes basket. They then got them to a point where the USAR 47 helicopter could take them to hospital.
A Kern County Fire Department spokesman said: “At 10:58am, September 2, a call to the Kern County Emergency Communications Center reported a vehicle at the bottom of a ravine off Comanche Point Road between the communities of Arvin and Stallion Springs. When KCFD Engine 48 and Patrol 48 arrived on scene they found a badly damaged pickup truck and one occupant at the bottom of a 100ft cliff.
“Additional personnel and equipment would clearly be needed; 4 Engines, 6 Patrols, and 1 USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) from KCFD arrived on scene to support incident needs. Kern County firefighters utilized their USAR training and built a rope rescue system to quickly lower one firefighter down to make patient contact.
“The patient was injured and had been immobilized at the bottom of the ravine since Tuesday, August 29. Three more firefighters were then lowered, by a team of firefighters and equipment from KCFD’s USAR 47, to secure the patient in a stokes basket before raising the patient to safety.
“The patient was transported by Hall ground ambulance to a landing zone, who was then flown by Mercy Air 15 to a local area hospital. CHP and Stallion Springs PD also assisted with on scene operations.”
Rescuers say four engines, five patrols and the USAR 47 attended the scene. A total of 21 firefighters were involved in the rescue mission.
Mercy Air Medical Transport, the Stallion Springs Police Department and Hall Ambulance also attended.
