Charley's Lookout Log - July 13, 2003
Motorcycle Accident #4

Picture: 1127 hrs

I just completed my Tower Duty, ate breakfast at Newcombs Ranch Cafe and was now heading home.

As I came around a corner I found this scene.  A motorcyclist down in the center of the lane and his bike against some rocks.

When I pulled up there were some confusion and I had some Boy Scouts go up the road and slow down traffic and good thing they did too.

I don't have a radio, and my cell phone was out of range, so a passing motorist asked if they could help.  I told them to proceed to "Clear Creak" station and tell them that a motorcyclist is down at mile post 35.4.  They said ok and took off.

About 15 minutes later help arrived in a big way, but during those 15 minutes I stayed on scene and help coordinate activities.  Watch the picture times.

He was bleeding  all over and the Boy Scouts had gauze and water to help stop the bleeding.  The rider was also dazed and he really wanted to leave the scene, so I sat down with him and talked to him for awhile.

He didn't remember the accident and some of the Scouts said he was unconscious when they found him.  He needed to stay put and calm so I continued to talk.

I could hear on my scanner that help was coming.

In two minutes, every one arrives at the same time.  As the professionals move in I get the Boy Scouts and others out of the way and stand back myself.

Here you can see one of the Scouts by my truck with a red flag he was using to slow down traffic.

Our old friend L.A. County Sheriff Air 5 to the rescue.

He comes in low down the canyon and makes a point turn.

Angeles Patrol 12, and another Patrol show up.  Three Forest Service Engines, three Highway Patrol, A County Rescue Squad, and the Montrose Sheriff Rescue all assist.

With the Highway closed, Air 5 makes it's approach to landing.

This is a big helicopter and it kicked up a huge dust storm.

With Air 5 on the ground and all the rescue personnel at hand the work of helping out the injured motorcyclist goes into high gear.

His shirt and pants are removed and he is pretty banged up.

It is still really hot outside and the sun is blazing down. A shade is held up to cover the victims face from the sun.

Final preparations are made to transport the motorcyclist to the Helicopter.

High noon and he is carried off to Air 5.

His bike will be picked up by a tow truck where he can claim it after his hospital check out.

Officer Brian of the California Highway Patrol will stand guard over his bike until the Tow Truck comes for it.

The whole event took about 45 minutes and I was on my way too.  It made me realize how dangerous Highway 2 can be as this was the 4th motorcyclist rescue that I kept count of for this weekend.

As I was leaving, Officer Brian told me that all units are now responding to a motorcycle collision right in front of Newcombs Ranch Cafe.   Officer Brian has to do this every weekend.  Go figure.

I'm going home.

I love motorcycles.  I want to buy one myself.  But it's not the bike, it's the riders.  The Angeles Crest Highway is fun but even at the speed limit there are rocks, cars crossing, people walking and animals that are all hazards to safety.

Introduce speed, and illegal lane changes then disaster occurs.  When I was at Newcombs Ranch I listened to the bikers talk about people in cars that would not pull over or get out of the way.  Officer Brian told me about a guy that passed him doing 80 Mph!

When I have my bike, I'll just be on the right side doing the speed limit and watching out for rocks and such.  I don't feel like seeing Air 5 from the inside looking down at Mount Vetter Tower.  Period.

-Charles