By Mary O’KEEFE
Emergency responders were called out to two separate motorcycle accidents within hours of each other on Sunday about a quarter mile apart.
The first incident occurred about 10:52 a.m. on Angeles Crest highway at Upper Big Tujunga, mile marker 42. Los Angeles County Sheriffs, California Highway Patrol, U.S. Forest Service and Montrose Search and Rescue all responded to the accident.
For an unknown reason, the motorcycle driver lost control of his vehicle and went over the side about 100 feet.
“We have a regular patrol in the area on weekends,” said Mike Leum, MSR member. “We [got the call] and responded quickly.”
Members of MSR, Angeles Fire and ESD paramedics from Sheriff's Air Rescue 5 load the patient to transport him to the waiting helicopter.
The male driver, 34, from Alhambra had severe injuries. He apparently hit a tree as he slid over the side of the road. The MSR team members had to climb down to rescue the man.
“Usually Air 5 would hoist him up from the area but due to the [surrounding] trees they were not able to [do so],” Leum said. “Air 5 lowered a medic and we brought the victim to the roadway.”
MSR used the winch on their vehicle to help pull the rescue litter (basket) with the victim to the roadway where Air 5 was able to land and transport the man to Huntington Memorial Hospital.
The second motorcycle accident occurred at 12:22 p.m. also on Angeles Crest Highway in the Upper Big Tujunga area, about a quarter mile from the first accident.
MSR team members responded to the incident, as did L.A. County Sheriffs, USFS and CHP.
Again for an unknown reason, the motorcycle driver from Tujunga lost control of his vehicle. He also suffered severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Air 5.
It appears in both cases that excessive speed may have played a role in the accidents. The incidents are under investigation by CHP.
MSR winches the victim up to the roadway, assisted by Angeles Fire.
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