Special Rescue Teams Deployed for Upstate New York Accident

Multiple agencies and first responders were recently called to assist in a very technical rescue after a vehicle ended up nearly 100 down a snowy hill in Ontario County.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) noted that the special circumstances surrounding the accident meant that a traditional rescue and recovery might not be effective.

NYS DEC forest rangers and other agencies had to deal with difficult winter conditions when responding to a recent car accident (NYS DEC via Facebook)

Vehicle Down Embankment in Ontario County

"On Feb. 3, Forest Ranger Dormer responded to a car accident in which a car was driven over an embankment and slid down a steep hill, stopping approximately 70 feet from the roadway" (below), the NYS DEC recently shared in a press release.

The steep hill and snowy conditions meant that a more technical approach was needed to bring the vehicle occupant safely back to the road (NYS DEC via Facebook)

Photos show an SUV facing uphill in a snowy wooded area. The NYS DEC noted that conditions meant that a rope rescue would be necessary to safely remove the driver.

The vehicle occupant was put in a litter before being brought up the embankment by a rope rescue team (NYS DEC via Facebook)

Rope Rescue After Snowy Accident

Working together with the Ontario County High Angle Team, Canandaigua Advanced Life Support, and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department, the occupant was placed in a litter and pulled up the embankment to the road.

The NYS DEC was also called to assist in a rescue of a boat occupant after it became stuck on rocks and partially submerged in Oswego County (NYS DEC via Facebook)

Rescue After Boat Stranded in Oswego County

Nearly simultaneously, NYS DEC forest rangers were helping with another nontraditional rescue, this time on the Salmon river in Oswego County. After a boat became stuck in submerged rocks, rangers used ropes to help guide the occupant to safety (above).

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While snow is currently covering much of New York State, towns further north are experiencing far greater accumulations. Towns like Redfield, NY recently hit a staggering 200 inches of total snowfall so far this season. See photos of one of the contributing storms below.