[UPDATE Saturday] First Responders Search for Woman Over Embankment Near Westhaven

Traffic Accident Night feature iconA southbound blue Mazda reportedly went over the embankment of Scenic Drive south of the casino and north of Westhaven about 10:22 p.m., according to dispatch relaying information from a caller. The occupant, a woman, called 911 for help but emergency first responders haven’t been able to locate her.

An ambulance responded to near the scene but emergency personnel are having difficulty finding the crash, according to scanner traffic. As of 11:08 p.m., emergency personnel were walking the area on foot while the occupant, attempted to guide them to the vehicle by phone. She was also attempting to honk to help them find her car.

“Her phone is pinging on the beach,” said one of the first responders. “I’d like to check on the availability of the Coast Guard.”

Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.

UPDATE 11:18 p.m.: The emergency responders located the vehicle. It is on the beach. The Coast Guard has been requested but there is no estimated time of arrival, according to dispatch.

UPDATE 11:26 p.m.: The Incident Commander just told the dispatcher that he is “a little worried about the tide.”

UPDATE 11:28 p.m.: “We’re having a real difficult time getting to [the car],” reported the Incident Commander.

UPDATE 11:48 p.m.: “We’re cutting our way down to the patient right now,” said the Incident Commander to the dispatcher.

UPDATE 12 a.m.: About ten minutes earlier, the Coast Guard responded and indicated they were looking to set down a rescue swimmer.

UPDATE 12:40 a.m.: They are using a stokes basket to bring up the woman, according to traffic over the scanner.

UPDATE 12:45 a.m.: The photo below shows how steep and rough the landscape is around the area of the accident.

The coast in the area of the accident taken Friday

The coast in the area of the accident taken Friday shows how steep and rugged it is. [Photo by Mark Harris]

UPDATE 1:15 a.m.: The patient has been loaded in the ambulance.

Emergency personnel hauling up the victim in a stokes basket.

Emergency personnel hauling up the victim in a stokes basket. [Photo by Mark Harris]

Emergency personnel gathered around the stokes basket

Emergency personnel gathered around the stokes basket. [Photo by Mark Harris]

UPDATE 1:22 a.m.: The patient is being taken to the hospital.
Here’s video from Mark Harris of the crews pulling up the patient.

UPDATE Saturday: According to the scanner, the victim was a 53-year-old woman who was using her seatbelt. She went approximately 200 feet over a cliff and had “injuries
to her head, neck, back, jaw, and notable deformities to an eye socket, and likely some hypothermia, unknown if she had any loss of consciousness.” She was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka.

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21 Comments
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Humboldt Lady
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Humboldt Lady
5 years ago

Many Blessings to her and all the first responders out there tonight.

Willie caos- mayhem
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Humboldt Lady

🕯Ditto. 👍🏾

Dot
Guest
Dot
5 years ago

Fingers crossed for success and safety for all involved.

Humbolt Original
Guest
Humbolt Original
5 years ago

2 am = next low tide
8 am = next high tide

Heavy rain, hail and thunderstorms all night long.

Hope the first responders stay safe, it’s a real shame they have to be put in this position. As for the driver, really have to wonder about the role of alcohol/drugs and the late night casino action, and the decision to drive on that sketchy road on a night like tonight. Impaired thinking it seems.

Be safe coast guard folks, it’s nasty out there with high winds next to the cliffs, very low visibility too.

Cy
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Cy
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thank you Kym for redirecting insensitive comments.

Pamlyn Pamlyn Millsap
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thank you Kym for sticking up for people!

Rose potter
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Rose potter
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Yes you are so right Kim
Your empathy is something for us all to aspire to❤️

TQM
Guest
TQM
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I like that “it costs so little to think kindly” thanks for sharing this Kym.

Lost Croat Outburst
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Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I guess we know now from the update that she is 53.

Diamond
Guest
Diamond
5 years ago

That road is narrow, worn out, trecherous and very dark at night. One wrong turn can get you into a desperate situation. She is a fortunate woman. Thank the Stars she stayed conscious and was able to call for help. Bless all involved.

witch of westhaven
Guest
witch of westhaven
5 years ago

Thank you so much for the updates, Kym. I’ve been hearing the helicopters for quite some time now… My prayers to everyone out there tonight.

Granny
Guest
Granny
5 years ago

Thank you to the rescue team! They truly are heroes! That woman is very fortunate. Without the use of modern technology, she probably would have perished!

Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
5 years ago

🕯Yeh Cal- Fire.

Bill
Guest
Bill
5 years ago

And Westhaven Fire and the other first responders out there.

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago

Yes and to all the rescue personnel: thank you again and again, and . . . .

Hope she’s OK. I hope we’ll see the final police analysis. Very spectacular launch it must have been to confound searchers with c-cell communication and all. Helicopters?

Martin
Guest
Martin
5 years ago

Sure hope the woman will be okay. Man that was a long and steep way to get to the beach. Thank you to all the first responders, your work is truly appreciated.

TQM
Guest
TQM
5 years ago

I like that “it costs so little to think kindly” thanks for sharing this Kym.
I hope the driver is ok.

C.S
Guest
C.S
5 years ago

It’s miraculous really that she was able to survive thus far an accident of this nature let alone be able to locate her phone whilst being coherent enough to call after driving off the cliff and landing on the rocky beach below. Can’t imagine anyone surviving such an event. Wow.

Debi
Guest
Debi
5 years ago

Praying she will be ok. I can’t imagine how afraid she must have been.