Photo courtesy of Coconino County Sheriff’s Office

Sedona AZ (August 15, 2016) – Rescuers from several local agencies rescued and saved the life of vehicle accident victim on Mt. Elden Lookout Road, Flagstaff (AZ) on Saturday, August 13.

The regional 911 center received a call at 4:57 p.m. the evening of August 13 reporting a vehicle had left the road and that there were now several injured persons, including some ejected from the vehicle.

Initially, Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies and Guardian Medical and Summit Fire Department were dispatched to the scene. Subsequent information was received that the vehicle and ejected occupants were down a cliff and some of the injuries were critical. At that point Flagstaff Fire Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue helicopter, and CCSO Search and Rescue technical rescue members and a short haul technician were requested.

Upon arrival to the scene, CCSO deputies and medics found the vehicle on its top down a steep embankment. Four accident victims were minimally injured and mobile. One victim was critically injured and was found a considerable distance further down the embankment. The critical patient was suffering from a chest injury and life saving measures began.

Photo courtesy of Coconino County Sheriff’s Office

Rescue personnel prepared a rope haul system to carry the injured uphill to the roadway. Medics and the Search and Rescue supervisor on scene assessed that time was of the essence to remove the critical patient, due to the nature and severity of his injuries.

The critical victim was Short Hauled by the DPS Air Rescue helicopter and transferred to a ground ambulance just off AZ Highway 180. Two other patients were transported to Flagstaff Medical Center by ambulance, and two were treated at the scene and released.

The accident occurred approximately 6 miles up Mount Elden Lookout Road. The highway at this location is cut into the side of the mountain. The vehicle came to a rest on the downhill side of the mountain after leaving the road. Two of the occupants had been ejected and were located further down the mountain from the vehicle.

The steep angle of mountain and the location of the patients posed problems for the rescuers to access and remove the patients, as well as, provide emergency treatment. An effective, coordinated response by rescuers from all the agencies allowed the critical victim to be stabilized and transported to a hospital where he received life saving care and treatment.

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