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15 September 2023
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Driver survives 100-foot plunge off cliff, five days trapped in truck, Southern California, US
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A driver who plunged off a 100-foot cliff in a remote area of Southern California and spent five days "immobilised" in their wrecked pickup truck, was rescued by firefighters who formed a human pulley system to pluck the victim from the ravine, authorities said. The rescue unfolded about 10h58am local time on Saturday, 2 September 2023, in the Tehachapi Mountains of Kern County when a 911 caller reported seeing a vehicle at the bottom of a steep ravine on a zig-zagging two-lane road between the towns of Arvin and Stallion Springs, according to a Kern County Fire Department incident report.
When firefighters got to the secluded scene, they found a badly damaged pickup truck and one occupant at the bottom of a 100-foot cliff, according to the report.
“Kern County Emergency Communications Centre 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 100’ cliff. Additional personnel and equipment would clearly be needed; four engines, 6six patrols and 1 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) from KCFD arrived on scene to support incident needs.”
“Kern County firefighters utilised 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 immobilised at the bottom of the ravine since Tuesday, 29 August 2023. 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.”
Sources: Kern County Fire, ABC News
When firefighters got to the secluded scene, they found a badly damaged pickup truck and one occupant at the bottom of a 100-foot cliff, according to the report.
“Kern County Emergency Communications Centre 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 100’ cliff. Additional personnel and equipment would clearly be needed; four engines, 6six patrols and 1 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) from KCFD arrived on scene to support incident needs.”
“Kern County firefighters utilised 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 immobilised at the bottom of the ravine since Tuesday, 29 August 2023. 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.”
Sources: Kern County Fire, ABC News