LAMONT, Calif., On August 27th, 2024, at 4:47 p.m. Kern County firefighters were dispatched to a report of a vehicle over the side of westbound Highway 58, one mile east of General Beale Rd. Firefighters arrived to find a car that had tumbled to the bottom of a steep slope. There were two patients, both out of the vehicle and being tended to by a CHP officer. Firefighters made their way down the incline to assess the condition of the victims and to provide them medical care. One of the patients was non-ambulatory due to injuries and would require special assistance from firefighters. 

Quickly, information was relayed over radio for crews to begin setting up a rope rescue system to assist with hauling the patient up to the highway. A technical system, utilizing ropes, pulleys and other hardware was set up and anchored to fire engines parked above the wreck. Rescue Systems is one of the many specialty areas of expertise that our firefighters learn and maintain as they provide exceptional “All Risk” service to Kern County.

A team of four firefighters began their descent, bringing with them a stokes basket, a type of stretcher for rescue situations. They were lowered down the grade on the rope system. Reaching the bottom, they carefully began securing the priority patient into the stokes basket. When ready, communications were made to firefighters above to begin hauling them up. The rope system provided a mechanical advantage, allowing the weight of the four rescuers and the victim to be pulled up the hill. Upon reaching the top, the patient was placed into a waiting ambulance and transported to hospital care. The second patient was attached to the rope system and with the help of firefighters was walked up the incline and also transported to the hospital.  

No injuries to firefighters were reported. The scene was left in care of CHP.