WILKESON, Wash. — Two individuals were rescued after their vehicle slid off a road and fell 250 feet near Wilkeson late Thursday night, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office (PCSO).
Emergency responders were dispatched shortly after 10:00 p.m. following an iPhone SOS call from the scene near T. Rex Falls, approximately 12 miles from Wilkeson. Upon arrival, rescue teams discovered two individuals on the road who reported a rollover crash.
The driver, a 30-year-old man, and a 20-year-old male passenger were trapped inside the vehicle at the bottom of the cliff. One victim was pinned beneath the engine compartment, while the other was ejected and ensnared in dense brush, PCSO reported.
Difficult weather conditions, including cold, wet, and foggy conditions, complicated the rescue efforts. PCSO requested assistance from rope technicians and local volunteer search-and-rescue teams. One victim was airlifted by Whidbey Island SAR to a hospital, while crews worked to stabilize both victims prior to transport.
Both individuals were ultimately airlifted to local hospitals as other personnel remained at the site to assist East Pierce Fire & Rescue with equipment recovery. The vehicle involved in the incident will not be towed and will remain at the crash site, officials stated.
The rescue operation lasted nearly 11 hours, with PCSO thanking multiple departments that contributed to the response.