First responders use rope rig to rescue driver
Photo by TONIA BROOKS A truck went about 200 feet off the road at the junction of HWY 1 and HWY 95 on Tuesday.
Photo by TONIA BROOKS A truck (bottom photo) went about 200 feet off the road at the junction of Highway 1 and U.S. 95 on Tuesday. A modified z-drag rope rig was utilized to bring the driver up the rock covered hillside.
Photo by TONIA BROOKS The large rocks were slippery from the rain, but the first responders brought the driver to safety.
BONNERS FERRY — A single-vehicle accident occurred at 3:50 p.m. on Tuesday, when a truck left the roadway at the junction of Highway 95 and Highway 1.
“The driver left the roadway for unknown reasons and rolled at least once and ended up about 200 feet down the embankment,” said Hall Mountain Fire Chief Brad Lowther.
Idaho State Police, Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, Hall Mountain Fire, and Boundary Ambulance all responded to the scene.
The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and according to Lowther, only suffered minor injuries, but due to the location of the truck, the first responders had to utilize their training to transport the driver back out.
“The embankment was large shot granite boulders that although it wasn’t real steep, it made access and egress difficult,” said Lowther. “Fortunately we practice our rope rescue techniques in this area and are used to dealing with the large rocks.”
The first responders teamed up and worked together to set up a modified Z-drag rope rig to bring the driver safely up the embankment.
According to Lowther, when the driver was asked what was hurting, he replied, “just my pride.”