WILKESON, Wash. — Two men were seriously injured after their vehicle slid off a road near Wilkeson and fell 250 feet late Thursday night, prompting a lengthy rescue effort.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), the incident occurred shortly after 10:00 p.m. when one individual activated an iPhone SOS call, alerting emergency services about the crash site near T. Rex Falls, approximately 12 miles from Wilkeson.
Rescue teams, arriving in off-road vehicles, encountered two individuals walking along the road who reported that they had been involved in a rollover collision.
The driver, a 30-year-old man, and a passenger, a 20-year-old man, were confirmed to be trapped inside the vehicle, which was located 250 feet down a cliff. One of the victims was pinned beneath the engine compartment; the other was ejected and ensnared in dense brush, PCSO noted.
Challenging weather conditions, including cold temperatures and fog, complicated the rescue efforts. The PCSO called in rope technicians and volunteer search-and-rescue teams for assistance.
One individual was hoisted from the crash site by Whidbey Island SAR and transported to a hospital via helicopter. Crews, including firefighters and a physician, worked to stabilize both victims before their transfer.
Both men were airlifted to local hospitals as the scene was cleared. The vehicle will remain in place as it is deemed too hazardous to tow, according to officials.
The rescue operation lasted nearly 11 hours, with PCSO thanking several departments for their contributions to the effort.