MOUNTAIN MESA, Calif. Tuesday at approximately 11:23 a.m., Kern County Emergency Dispatchers received reports of a vehicle off the roadway and down an embankment. Units arrived on scene and found a single pickup truck with significant damage, containing two patients and a K-9, about 40 feet down a steep embankment.

Crews on scene took immediate action, stabilizing the vehicle to create a safe working space while preparing a tool cache that included the Hurst Jaws of Life for extraction. KCFD crews performed technical rescue techniques, removing the windshield to gain access and extricate the patients. Both patients were quickly freed from the wreck and transported by Liberty Ambulance to a local trauma center with life-threatening injuries. The K-9 was left in the care of CHP.

KCFD has responded to an increased number of vehicle accidents in recent weeks, and we would like to remind everyone to slow down and use safe driving practices, especially during inclement weather.