Salmon Berry Preschool Visits the Station

New Years Rescue - McK Press

New Years Rescue Ends in Champagne Toast

Elaine Weinreb

The New Year got off to a bad start for a Trinidad woman, whose vehicle went off the road, and slid 20 feet down an embankment.

The accident occurred Friday evening, around 7 p.m., on Trinidad's Scenic Drive, just south of the intersection with Main Street.

According to Trinidad Fire Chief (Captain) Mike Morgan, the victim was driving south, after leaving the village, when the mishap occurred.

The sound of sirens filled the air, as rescuers converged on the scene — first the Trinidad Volunteer Fire Dept., the Trinidad Police Dept., Cal Fire, and then the Westhaven Volunteer Fire Dept., the Sheriff's Dept., the California Highway Patrol, and the Arcata Fire Dept. bringing the Jaws of Life hydraulic spreader.

Cal Fire rescuers stabilized the vehicle, preventing it from rolling further, while Trinidad firefighters got the victim out of the car.

" Amazingly, she was not injured," said Westhaven Volunteer Fire Chief Paul Rosenblatt. Paramedics at the scene assessed woman, and found her to be unhurt.

Even her vehicle proved to be relatively undamaged, and after a tow truck got it back on the road, the victim was able to drive it home.

After the job was completed, Trinidad firefighters were invited to the Civic Club's New Years Eve party, where they were treated to champagne.

Reference:
McKinleyville Press Vol.13, No.25 Tuesday Jan. 6, 2009