CAL FIRE Firefighter Injured in Rescue Attempt at Fatal Crash

One person was killed in a solo vehicle crash of an off-road vehicle in East County late Tuesday night and a firefighter and civilian trying to reach the victim were injured when the off-road vehicle they were in crashed, authorities said.

The initial crash was reported just after 11:30 p.m. on West Boundary Truck Trail near Montiel Truck Trail, south of Alpine in the Japatul Valley area, said CAL FIRE spokesman Thomas Shoots.

A CAL FIRE firefighter was with a civilian, trying to reach the victim in the remote area, when the off-road vehicle they were in somehow tipped over.

A sheriff's ASTREA helicopter was overhead and witnessed the crash that injured the two. Shoots said it was unclear if the vehicle fell on its side or if it was a "full rollover."

"The firefighter and the civilian were both injured. They were hoisted out by a San Diego city helicopter and taken to Sharp Memorial (hospital) with minor to moderate injuries," Shoots said.

Shoots said he believes the area of the initial crash was so remote a fire engine couldn't get to the victim so the firefighter rode with the civilian to make it to the injured man to begin patient care.

The person in that crash, a 53-year-old man, died at the scene before he could be taken to a hospital. No other information about the victim was released.

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