Scanner traffic and the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information page indicate an air ambulance is on its way to the remote Elk Mountain Road in the Mendocino National Forest after a light blue 1980s truck went off the side of the roadway.
Initial reports indicated the vehicle was occupied by a single male who was located lying on the side of the roadway. The nature of the man’s injuries is unknown at this time.
Multiple agencies responded to the incident including CAL FIRE and Lake Pillsbury Volunteer Fire Department.
UPDATE 10:28 a.m.: As per units on scene, the vehicle involved in the collision is a “small Nissan pick-up” found 150′ down an embankment lying on its roof.
UPDATE 1:00 p.m.: The California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Informatoin Page has updated the incident characterizing it as “major injury”.
We spoke with Lake Pillsbury Volunteer Fire Department Captain Bret Butler who told us the driver of the vehicle self-extricated and climbed 150′ to the road where the original reporting party found him lying on the roadside.
Captain Butler asked us to relay to the public the importance of taking note of milemarkers when in the backcountry. Elk Mountain Road, he explained, is approximately 36 miles long and specificity is key when responding to incidents. He expressed gratitude for the reporting that found the man lying on the roadway today and encouraged visitors of the Mendocino National Forest to always be aware of their location.
Lake Pillsbury Volunteer Fire Department is staffed by a group of hearty firefighters charged with responding to fires, medical emergencies, and other incidents throughout the Lake Pillsbury region. Volunteer rural firefighters are one of the essential services of life in Mendocino County. If you are able, consider donating to their efforts here.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
