A California man and his dog were rescued Wednesday morning after spending roughly 22 hours trapped in a severely crushed pickup truck along Highway 89, near Calpine, California.
The ordeal began Tuesday afternoon when the driver, who had been traveling alone, crashed his vehicle off the road. Authorities were alerted when a motorist passing the wreckage on Wednesday morning around 10:03 a.m. noticed the accident and called 911, though the caller was unsure if anyone was inside the truck.
Responding to the scene, a team of first responders, including members of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), local paramedics, and the Sierra County Fire Department, quickly arrived at the location, approximately three miles north of Calpine. The truck was discovered approximately 30 feet down a hillside, with both the driver and his dog inside.
The driver informed rescuers that he had crashed around 2 p.m. the previous day, stating that he had “just lost focus and went off the road.” The CHP confirmed that the driver had been trapped in the wreckage throughout the night.
After an hour of careful extrication efforts, the driver, who sustained moderate injuries, was freed from the vehicle and transported to the hospital. His dog appeared unharmed and is currently being looked after by a friend of the driver.
In a statement, Graeagle Fire Department commended the successful operation, noting the complexity of the rescue. “It was a pleasure working with Sierra County Fire — Calpine in the successful extrication of a complicated situation. We wish the patient a full and speedy recovery,” the department said.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office and CHP are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, authorities reminded the public of the importance of being vigilant behind the wheel. “We all have a responsibility to each other when operating these rolling hunks of metal,” said a CHP representative.