From the Kern Valley Sun in California:
Published on Friday, February 11, 2011 5:05 PM PST
A Forest Service truck plunged over the side of Highway 178 near the mouth of the canyon at 10:30 a.m. Friday.
The westbound vehicle, driven by Forest Service employee Kyle Villa, 23, fell about 300 feet and crashed onto the large boulders below near the Kern River. The truck’s engine compartment caught fire and ignited a small brush fire.
Villa escaped the burning vehicle and crawled parallel to the river for about 100 yards. Units from Kern County Fire Department, Bakersfield Fire Department, Kern County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol and the Forest Service responded to the scene.
A fire crew extinguished the fire while another crew repelled down the mountainside and treated Villa. “He was reported to be confused, and complaining of neck and back pain,” said Cody Norris, Forest Service PIO for Lake Isabella.
Sheriff’s helicopter Air 5 was dispatched and hoisted Villa from the scene. Villa’s injuries were described as ‘moderate’ by Kern County Fire Engineer Dustin Allegranza as Air 5 lifted off.
Villa, who was on duty at the time of the crash, was transported to Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield.
Highway 178 through the canyon reopened at 4:26 p.m.
The term is rappelled.
The rescuers descended the cliff face on ropes. They didn’t repel anything!