Big Rig Rollover near Big Valley


Ambulance in foreground with truck wreck on it's side showing much cab damage.

The truck hauling cattle feed on it's side.



Pitville Area on Old Highway Road, May 16, 2005
Copyright 2005 BigValleyNews.net

At about 2 PM today Bieber CDF was called to assist in a major traffic accident which took place on Old Highway Rd, about 3 miles from the intersection of Highway 299.  A big rig hauling animal feed overturned trapping the driver.

Rescue team in yellow working inside the very damaged truck cab.

The badly damaged cab with the driver still trapped inside.


I talked to Joe Sgori of McArthur who told me he was first on the scene and rendered first aid for the driver who was still conscious, but trapped inside the wreckage.  Joe did what he could to clear debris, broken glass etc. from the driver and make him comfortable and then went to telephone for assistance.  Joe had tools with him, a hacksaw and cutters and attempted to help the driver.  He did the best he could, but was unable to free the driver.

A picture of Joe, first to the scene.

Joe Sgori of McArthur attempted rescue and rendered first aid before emergency crews arrived.


It took emergency crews from McArthur, Fall River Mills, Bieber and others over an hour to free the driver using emergency rescue tools such as "jaws of life" and required the assistance of a tow truck and lots of chain and cable which were used to partially lift the truck cab and straighten out wreckage.

Chains and cables used in the rescue

Chains were tied to nearby trees to attempt to straighten out the damaged cab.


The driver, who's name is unknown was not from this area and came from Oregon.  Although badly injured, he appeared to remain conscious throughout the rescue.  He was removed by ambulance to Mayers Memorial Hospital where a helicopter was awaiting his arrival.  It is unknown if he was evacuated to another hospital. His condition is unknown, but as he never lost consciousness I do not believe his injuries were life threatening.

The report from the CHP's website

Incident: 0224  Type: Traffic Collision - Major Injuries  Location: PITTVILLE  Zoom Map: 124 9F  Info as of: 5/16/2005 4:54:42 PM

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

 4:10PM 1039 LASSEN CO ROADS -- WILL NOTIFY SOMEONE AND HAVE THEM RESPOND - WILL CB W/ETA

 4:07PM PLZ ROLL LASSEN CO RDS

 2:59PM 1039 SHASTA CO RDS FOR REP

 2:59PM COME OFF 229E TAKE OLD HIGHWAY RD THRU MCARTHUR TO BASE OF BIG VALLEY MTN

 2:56PM 1039 TWIN VIEW

 2:54PM SEND A CO RD REP - CAN BE CLEANED UP LATER

 2:51PM PER PROFESSIONAL THERE BIG RIG OO AREA

 2:49PM PER SHASTA CO CDF - THERE IS A HELICOPTER ENRT

 2:48PM PER KEITHS BOTH BIG RIGS ARE 10-6

 2:46PM DEBBIE FM CO RDS CALLED BACK//SAID PER HER SUPERVISOR IT S OUR RESP TO DO HAZMAT//ADV D WE DON T HAVE CLEAN-UP CAPABILITY IN THAT AREA

 2:45PM 3 AXLE TRACTOR AND 40 FT TANK TRAILER W/GRAIN-BOTH ON ITS SIDE-20 FT OFF RDWY- ROLL BIG RIG-PROBABLY SVL

 2:41PM DRIVER IS STILL TRAPPED WE WILL TRY TO GET HIWAY GARAGE TO ASSIST 2:40PM 600 COME IN FROM OLD HIGHWAY AND BLOCK ROADWAY

 2:40PM ADVS CO RDS

 2:40PM DIESEL OO FUEL TANKS - SPILLED - LOAD WAS GRAIN

 2:39PM 1039 CO RDS

 2:10PM 1039 S5//ENRT FM R

 2:09PM ON COUNTY ROAD 407 1 MILE ABOVE PITTVILLE

 2:09PM PER SUSANVILLE FD - BIG RIG TC - DRIVER IS TRAPPED AND SOMETHING IS LEAKING

 2:02PM SCANNER TRAFFIC SAYS INJ TC

RESPONDING OFFICERS STATUS:

 2:51PM CHP Unit On Scene

 3:59PM CHP Unit On Scene