Five individuals, including two children, sustained injuries following a peculiar accident on Highway 18 near Big Bear Lake on Friday evening. The San Bernardino County Fire Department reported that the collision occurred when "a large boulder cleaved from the mountainside and rolled onto the road," causing two cars to crash near mile marker 44, just west of Big Bear Lake. This report came in according to CBS News.
The incident took place around 5:45 p.m., during a time when the power of the storm that battered Southern California had finally begun to wear off finally. The large boulder unexpectedly making its way onto the road necessitated an emergency response by local fire departments. In a post shared by the San Bernardino County Fire Department, they confirmed that the boulder's unexpected descent prompted the emergency teams to swiftly act to attend to the five patients, providing the necessary care before ushering four to the hospital with what were determined to be minor injuries.
The collaborative efforts of the Big Bear Lake and Arrowbear Lake fire departments, mentioned in the post, played a crucial role in dealing with the aftermath of the crash. Added manpower from these departments, with two paramedic ambulances from Big Bear Lake Fire and an engine crew from Arrowbear Lake Fire, ensured that the victims received timely medical attention.
Roadway clearance was achieved a few hours post-accident, as CalTrans crews worked to remove the imposing boulder. Their efforts successfully allowed traffic to resume on Highway 18, restoring a semblance of normalcy after the unforeseen disruption. The cleanup process was part of an urgent response to several weather-related incidents occurring in the region, as earlier in the day, an EF0 tornado had touched down in Boyle Heights near downtown Los Angeles, and Ventura County reported severe damage due to storm runoff, CBS News reported.
While this incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of storm-related events, it also highlights the readiness and effectiveness of local emergency services. Thanks to the coordinated actions of firefighters, paramedics, and road crews,the impact on the local community was minimized, with the injured receiving prompt medical attention and roads cleared for safe travel as quickly as possible.
