WILKESON, Wash. — Two men were rescued late Thursday night after their vehicle rolled off a road and tumbled 250 feet down a cliff, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office (PCSO).
Emergency responders were alerted to the incident shortly after 10:00 p.m. via an iPhone SOS call, prompting search and rescue teams to respond to the crash site near T. Rex Falls, approximately 12 miles from Wilkeson.
Upon arrival, rescuers discovered two individuals walking on the road and learned that a 30-year-old man and a 20-year-old man were trapped inside the vehicle, which was located down the cliff. One victim was pinned under the engine compartment, while the other was found ejected and ensnared in thick brush.
Challenging weather conditions, including cold temperatures and fog, complicated the rescue efforts. The PCSO called for additional support from rope technicians and volunteer search-and-rescue teams. One victim was airlifted from the scene by Whidbey Island SAR and transported to a hospital.
Rescue crews, including firefighters and medical personnel, focused on stabilizing the victims before their transport. Both were eventually airlifted to local hospitals as operations continued at the site.
The PCSO noted that a small number of search-and-rescue personnel would remain to assist East Pierce Fire and Rescue (EPFR) with equipment recovery. The vehicle involved in the rollover will not be towed and will be left at the crash site. The rescue operation lasted nearly 11 hours. Authorities thanked the various departments that contributed to the effort.