On Wednesday, April 30th, at approximately 12:30 am, the Kern County Fire Department's Emergency Communications Center received a first-party phone call for a vehicle that had gone over the side on Highway 58, just east of the Sand Luis Obispo/Kern County line.  The highway in this area is characterized by tight S-curves and steep, long drops from the shoulders.  

Engine 24 from McKittrick arrived on scene and the crew discovered a passenger vehicle approximately 50-60 feet down an embankment, resting on its roof.  Using a Quick Deployment Rope Bag, the firefighter from E24 safely descended to the vehicle and found two occupants with minor to moderate injuries inside the vehicle.  As more resources and personnel arrived on scene a plan was developed to deploy a rope system and a rescue basket to move one of the subjects up the embankment to an awaiting ambulance.  The second subject was able to hike under their own power with the assistance of fire personnel.  The subjects were transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

As an "all risk" fire agency, the Kern County Fire Department frequently trains for these low frequency, high risk incidents that require specialty training, equipment, and personnel.