SUV crash in Bighorn forces pair to overnight in wilderness
Man and woman from Didsbury taken to hospital after vehicle lost control and crashed down embankment
A man and woman were taken to hospital after spending a night in the wild when their SUV lost control and crashed down embankment.
EMS responded to the scene off the gravel road near the Fallen Creek South Recreation Area in the MD of Bighorn on Highway 579 near Highway 40 Monday morning around 10 a.m. MT.
"Indications were an SUV may have lost control and left the road last evening around 8 p.m." said EMS spokesperson Stuart Brideaux in a release. "The vehicle rolled and slid down an embankment landing approximately 200 feet from the road."
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The pair were able to get out of the vehicle, but not able to contact emergency crews.
The man, 41, and woman, 42, from Didsbury built a fire for warmth and to signal for help. They were able to contact emergency officials Monday morning.
Rescue officials described the terrain as "dense." RCMP say the Cochrane and Ghost fire departments conducted a high-angle rope rescue.
STARS air ambulance attended the scene to airlift the man on a stretcher out of the area. He was transported to the Foothills hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition with back and leg injuries.
The woman was able to walk out on her own, but was taken to Didsbury hospital by ground EMS in stable and non-life threatening condition with a broken collarbone.
"Both were suffering from mild exposure due to being outside all night," said Brideaux.
RCMP are investigating the crash, but say alcohol appears not to be a factor.