Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue (SSFR) was dispatched by Routt County Communication (RCC) to a single vehicle rollover accident on Rabbit Ears Pass near mile marker 147 on the west summit at 12:16pm today, Tuesday, July 30, 2019.
A single vehicle left US Highway 40 and traveled several hundred feet from the roadway, rolling several times. As a result of the rollover, the driver was ejected and pinned underneath the vehicle; and, initially freed by bystanders.
Upon arrival on scene, Captain Travis Wilkinson and the three-person engine crew found the driver unconscious and immediately administered Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency care. Approximately 15 minutes later, the patient was transported to one of the two SSFR ambulances on scene for continued ALS care.
Due to the indicated seriousness of the injuries, Captain Wilkinson requested a medical helicopter shortly after being dispatched to the incident. Classic Air Medical arrived atop Rabbit Ear Pass at 12:55pm, landing on the highway at the crash scene. The patient was transferred to the helicopter and flown to a Level One Trauma Center in the Front Range.
US Highway 40 was closed in both directions from the time SSFR first arrived on scene until shortly after the helicopter departed with the patient. SSFR dispatched one engine with four firefighters and two ambulances, each with two firefighter/paramedics, to the incident.
SSFR would like to thank Colorado State Patrol and the Routt County Sheriff Office for their assistance.
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Contact
Mel Stewart, Fire Chief, 970.879.7170, or email
Travis Wilkinson, Captain, 970.879.7170 or email