On Sunday September 21, 2014 at approximately 1830 hours CHP Helicopter 32 (H-32) received a request from Solano Area CHP units for assistance with solo all-terrain vehicle collision that was in the unincorporated area of Solano County just north of Mount Vaca. A 63 year old male from Vacaville was traveling on a trail in steep terrain when he lost control of his ATV causing it to rollover and eject him. The area is only accessible by off-road vehicles and upon H-32’s arrival, Vacaville fire personnel had made access to the patient by hiking to the patient and using other off-road vehicle(s). The patient was not wearing a helmet and, per another rider, had been knocked unconscious. He sustained a large laceration to his head and complained of head/neck pain. Due to the location of the collision, the quickest way to extricate the patient from the scene was by hoist. Paramedic/Flight Officer Matt Gutierrez and Pilot Pete Gavitte arrived overhead and with the assistance of Vacaville Fire Department personnel, hoisted the driver from the rugged terrain. He was flown to a nearby field where he was transferred to REACH air ambulance who flew him to a nearby trauma center. Due to the rugged terrain, it would have taken hours to remove the patient from the scene of the collision. The trail was unimproved and an extremely steep fire-break type trail causing the scene to be inaccessible to vehicles suited to transport the victim.

• published: 23 Sep 2014
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