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Published on January 16, 2025
ATV Rider Rescued After 150-Foot Plunge in Virgin Mountains in Multi-Agency EffortSource: Instagram/lvmpdsar

An ATV excursion in the rugged terrain of the Virgin Mountains near Mesquite ended in an urgent search and rescue operation this past Tuesday. According to a social media post by the LVMPD Search and Rescue (SAR), two ATVs were navigating a mountain trail when one vehicle plunged down a steep 150-foot embankment around 4 p.m.

The accident left one rider stranded atop the embankment, unharmed but helpless to aid their companion. The post details the immediate call to 911 by the uninjured individual, who, due to the challenging terrain and a washed out trail, awaited rescue. LVMPD SAR arrived by helicopter and ground vehicles, inserting team members to reach the victim still trapped in their ATV.

Rescue efforts escalated as additional SAR personnel were lowered to clear the surrounding brush, establishing a safe extraction point. Once the victim was safely removed from the vehicle, they received immediate medical care. After on-site stabilization, the victim was airlifted to Mesquite airport and subsequently transported by Mercy Air to a hospital in St. George for further treatment.

Ground attempts to reach the stranded ATV rider were unsuccessful for LVMPD personnel and Clark County Fire Department crews, as the washed-out trail rendered their vehicles unusable. As a result, SAR members hiked up the mountain trail but were unable to find a suitable location for helicopter extraction. Due to the challenging conditions and the length of the hike, the SAR team requested assistance from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.

An HH60 from Nellis AFB responded and performed a hoist extraction of both the uninjured individual and the rescue personnel. The operation concluded with gratitude extended to all partner agencies for their support during the mission.