CAJON PASS, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Division pulled off an incredible rescue Thursday morning. When they used a helicopter to save a driver whose vehicle rolled over 200 feet down an embankment on Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass. (Photo above is credit by Molly Nelson)

The crash happened around 9:12am on Thursday, October 12, 2023, on northbound Interstate 15 about one mile north of the Kenwood Avenue exit. The solo vehicle crash ended up overturned 200 feet down an embankment on the right side of the 15 freeway, stated on the California Highway Patrol.

The driver and a passenger had been traveling north on I-15 in a burgundy Ford Expedition when a rear tire blew out. The driver swerved, lost control, which caused the vehicle to overturned, and careen down an embankment, according to witness stated on the California Highway Patrol Traffic Log.

To carry out the rescue, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department used a helicopter hoist to lower a paramedic to the crash scene. The person was extracted from the vehicle and rescued via helicopter gurney. The helicopter then transported the injured victim to Loma Linda University Medical Center for treatment.

One person was able to walk away from the vehicle by using a rope system to safely bring the victim back to the roadway with minor injuries.

CHP are still working to determine exactly how the crash happened. We will update this story with more information when the CHP’s preliminary accident report is available. Additional details were limited at this time. This incident will be under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, Inland Office.

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