Information Release – Vehicle Accident

Pagosa Fire Protection District was called to respond to a vehicle accident with entrapment near the
intersection of Hersch Avenue and US Highway 160 at 7:57 a.m. on Friday, July 8th, 2022. The
notification was received through the 911 system managed by Archuleta County Combined Dispatch
center.
Upon arrival, the first arriving firefighter completed a scene size up noting a one vehicle accident.
Vehicle was on its wheels, off the roadway with one patient entrapped. The first arriving engine
company initiated vehicle stabilization and patient assessment, followed by extrication. Fire
personnel used hydraulic cutting and spreading tools to remove vehicle door and provide access to
occupant. Timeframe from engine arrival at scene to patient removal was seven minutes. PFPD
personnel assisted in packaging the occupants, transfer to ambulances, and hospital transport.
On-scene fire apparatus provided emergency responder protection by continuing to block traffic
lanes while patient was loaded into awaiting ambulance.
PFPD responded with one engine, one rescue truck, one chief vehicle, and seven paid personnel.
Upper San Juan Hospital District provided patient transport to local medical facility. Archuleta County
Sheriff’s Department and Colorado State Patrol units were also on-scene conducting accident
investigation.
PFPD was on scene for approx. twenty minutes.
There are no firefighter injuries to report. The accident is under investigation by Colorado State
Patrol.
Check our Facebook page, Pagosa Fire Protection District, for crew updates and pictures.
Submitted by: Pagosa Fire Protection District Public Information Division