WOLF CREEK PASS — South Fork Fire Rescue responded to three separate vehicle accidents on Wolf Creek Pass on Sept. 20.

On Sept. 20, at 2:26 p.m., South Fork Fire Rescue responded to a report of a vehicle that had gone off the roadway at approximately mile marker 169 on US Highway 160.

While searching for the vehicle, a second person contacted SFFR staff and stated that he saw someone frantically searching off the side of the road in the area of the narrows, several miles below the initial reported location.

SFFR responders sent Med 190 and Command 1 to the narrows, leaving Engine 1 and Squad 9 to complete the search above. At 3:06 p.m., the vehicle was located upside down next to the river at mile marker 176.

Utilizing ropes, SFFR staff descended to the vehicle and found one person inside. In the process of extracting the patient, SFFR was advised of a second accident at mile marker 179, involving five people.

A second ambulance was dispatched to that location, where all five patients were evaluated by SFFR staff.

The person at mile marker 176 was extracted from the riverbank utilizing ropes and transported to Rio Grande Hospital with moderate injuries.

While completing the first two calls, a third accident was reported in the same area. Officers on scene stated that no medical assistance was required.

“While the three accidents do not appear to be connected in any way, the occurrence highlights the dangers of Wolf Creek Pass. The area of the first accident was not visible from the roadway and had there not been a witness to the accident, the outcome could have been very different. Coming into the winter months, please remember to use caution while travelling on the pass. The roads can be very unforgiving at times, and leave very little room for error,” SFFR stated.