GLACIER, Wash. — First responders were dispatched about 2pm on Tuesday, June 20th, to a section of Mount Baker Highway (SR542) near Nooksack Falls and the Excelsior Pass trailhead due to reports of a vehicle that had left the road and ended up in the river. Bystanders were reported to have pulled an occupant of the vehicle from the river.
Whatcom County Fire District 14 (WCFD14) officials said they responded with Whatcom County Fire District 19, Bellingham Fire Department, Airlift Northwest, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Patrol. The single occupant was transported by helicopter to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center.
According to unconfirmed radio transmissions at the time, an Airlift Northwest helicopter launched out of Arlington to a landing zone east of the incident scene.
WCFD14 Assistant Chief David Moe told Whatcom News the patient was transported under advanced life support (ALS) protocols.
Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Kelsey Harding told Whatcom News the driver suffered broken bones and possible internal injuries after the 2007 GMC Yukon had broken through a guardrail and plunged about 200 feet down an embankment and onto the riverbed. The driver was arrested by WSP for suspicion of driving under the influence.
