Traffic Collision Turns into Rescue
December 2 – At about 6:35 p.m., units from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to a report of a pick-up truck over the side on Cajon Blvd. near Keenbrook Rd. in Devore. Upon their arrival, they found a full-size pick-up truck that had left the roadway and landed in a group of trees in the bottom of Cajon Creek, approximately 100 feet below the road. It was quickly determined that there were two occupants of the truck and firefighters immediately climbed down into the creek bed to treat the injured. As part of the fire department response, a Heavy Rescue unit arrived on scene with specialized equipment that allowed firefighters to lower additional rescue personnel and equipment directly down to the truck. Upon reaching the truck, firefighters found one patient was able to free himself from the vehicle and the other had succumbed to his injuries and was still pinned in the vehicle.
The patient outside of the truck suffered moderate injuries. He was placed in a Stokes Rescue Basket Stretcher and lifted back up to the roadway utilizing specialized rope rescue equipment. Once safely back up on the road, he received additional advanced medical treatment prior to being transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center by American Medical Response. Firefighters then extricated the deceased victim from the vehicle and also brought him back to the roadway.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Images
Click image to enlarge