LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A single-vehicle rollover on Highway 20 Thursday evening led to a lengthy effort by firefighters to extricate the driver.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the crash occurred shortly after 6:30 p.m. near mile post marker 38 on Highway 20, near the bridge crossing the north fork of Cache Creek.
Reports from the scene indicated a green Ford F-150 pickup flipped over and came to rest upside down in the nearby creek bed, 20 feet off the roadway.
About a half dozen passersby had reportedly stopped to assist the man before CHP arrived on scene.
An extensive extrication effort was needed, according to Northshore Fire Assistant Chief Pat Brown.
After the victim was extricated with the jaws of life and pulled out of the creek bed using a low angle rope rescue operation, radio traffic indicated a REACH air ambulance transported the patient to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Dispatch also called Lake County Animal Care and Control to assist with two dogs that had been in the vehicle. One of the dogs reportedly ran away down the creek.
Approximately 20 people took part in the rescue, including Northshore Fire, Cal Fire, CHP, the tow company, animal control and passersby, according to reports from the scene.
The CHP later reported that the crash victim suffered minor injuries.
Initial reports indicated that narcotics might be involved and a blood draw was requested.
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