Article sponsored by Mountains Community Hospital and Valor of the Lake Alarms
On the afternoon of Saturday, June 8, 2019, 911 emergency dispatchers received a call reporting an emergency incident located on or near the lake shore in Lake Arrowhead.
Crews responded to Shelter Cove and found an individual who was working on an electric tram that runs from the lake shore to residential homes. The victim was allegedly working on some of the main operational cables that carry the tram cart. Somehow the cables reportedly came undone near the victims legs and he became entangled.
As a result the victim was trapped by the cables while the motor was still running, which continued tightening around his legs. The victim was able to dial 911 to report the incident and request help. First responders working Fire Boat 92 out on Lake Arrowhead responded and arrived quickly at the lakeside close to the victim. They were able to shut off the power and remove the man’s legs from the twisted and tightened steel cables.
The victim was transported by the fire boat to the ALA docks on the east side of the lake, taken by ambulance to Mountains Community Hospital where he was transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center by Mercy Air Helicopter 22. The victim has been reported as stable with non life threatening injuries. Crews were on scene for approximately one hour.
An important note from Fire Chief Rapoza: The fast-acting crew that was on Fire Boat 92 working Lake Arrowhead may have been able to reduce the response and transport time enough to save the man’s legs from suffering permanent damage or even complete loss.
Article and photos by Christina Hernandez
Video credit Sergey Astakhov, Northgate Entertainment
