Missoula Rural Fire Performs Dramatic Rescue on Blue Mountain

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Crews from Missoula Rural Fire responded to a vehicle that had slid nearly 50 feet down an embankment off Blue Mountain Road late Wednesday afternoon.

I spoke with Corey Horsens, firefighter and paramedic with Missoula Rural Fire about the incident.

A Dramatic Rescue on Blue Mountain Wednesday Night

“On Wednesday, November 20, a little after 5:00 p.m., our crews were dispatched up to the Blue Mountain 365 Road for the report of a vehicle that had gone off the road and had slid down a deep embankment,” began Horsens. “There were four people involved. The initial report said that there were two people trapped. So our crews responded with our station, one out of South Reserve, and our station out of Lolo, and then a rescue company out of our station 6 out of Mullan road.”

Horsens described what responders found when they arrived at the scene of the accident.

Four People Were Trapped in the Vehicle 50 Feet Down a Ravine

“When the first engine arrived, they discovered there were indeed four people involved, two of which had been helped up to the road by law enforcement who had arrived first, and two were still trapped in the vehicle,” he said. “The vehicle was about 50 feet below the road, and our crews utilized rope systems to safely get down to the victims who were still trapped in the vehicle. They had to perform a very technical extrication. The biggest concern was just the precarious way in which the vehicle was on the side of the hill. They really had to struggle to figure out how they would stabilize the vehicle so as they extricated people, it didn't create a hazard for any of the victims or the rescuers.”

Horsens said after several tense hours, the rescue was successful.

After Several Hours All Four Passengers Were Rescued

“I took almost four hours for them to pull that off, but I'm pleased to report that everything went off smoothly, and they were able to safely extricate the other two folks from the vehicle, and they were transported to a local hospital for treatment,” he said.

Horsens issued a warning for anyone traveling on the back roads that there are icy conditions that require caution.

“It has been a busy couple of days,” he said. “It’s just a good reminder that winter is here and the roads are slippery, especially Wednesday night, being on the side of Blue Mountain with the snow-covered road with a little bit of freezing rain that certainly created a lot of hazard for folks. It’s just a reminder to slow down, wear your seat belt, all the things that we are reminded of this time of year. We’re just wishing everybody safe travels as they get ready for this Thanksgiving holiday.”

The rescued victims were treated for undetermined injuries.