Man airlifted after 4-wheeler crash in Eagle foothills. He was stuck for hours
A man was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries after his 4-wheeler rolled in the foothills near Eagle on Tuesday evening.
The Eagle Fire Department shared on social media that fire crews along with Ada County Paramedics personnel and Life Flight rescue network responded to a report of the accident.
The situation unfolded on a ranch just a few miles north of Hidden Springs, Battalion Chief Rob Shoplock told the Idaho Statesman in a phone interview. He said crews arrived to the scene a little before 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and soon decided to call in a helicopter to get the man to a hospital as soon as possible.
Shoplock said the 4-wheeler rolled down a hill, and the driver sustained “serious” lower-leg injuries. Shoplock told the Statesman that the man had been stuck for hours before the accident was called in by people looking for him.
The man was coherent and stable, Shoplock said, and crews treated him on scene before he was transported by helicopter to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.
Shoplock urged people to use caution when operating off-road vehicles in the foothills, and to always inform people of your locations when recreating outdoors alone.
“Little things like air tags, or sharing your location if you are going to go out by yourself are important,” Shoplock said. “They can be lifesavers.”
The fire department also shared safety precautions on social media for those recreating with 4-wheelers in the Eagle foothills:
- Always wear a helmet and proper protective gear
- Ride within your skill level and avoid excessive speeds
- Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return
- Carry water, a charged phone, a GPS and basic first aid supplies
- Be aware of trail conditions and changing weather
