BREAKING: A man was dramatically rescued Saturday morning, January 24, after his SUV became precariously stuck on a cliff edge along Highway 18 in Big Bear. Emergency crews rushed to the scene at approximately 11:30 a.m. following reports of the vehicle teetering hundreds of feet above the ground.
The SUV, which had just pulled out from a turnout near mile marker 39.5, lost traction and launched over a berm, coming to a halt dangerously close to the cliff’s edge. According to Eric Sherwin, spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Fire Department, the driver mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, leading to the terrifying situation.
Fortunately, the female passenger managed to exit the vehicle safely before emergency services arrived and reported no injuries. However, the male driver remained trapped inside, hesitant to move his foot from the brake as firefighters worked to stabilize the SUV.
Fire crews swiftly attached a chain from their engine to the SUV, ensuring it was secure before assisting the driver out of the vehicle. Remarkably, he also escaped without injury, as confirmed by Sherwin.
No other vehicles were involved in the incident, and authorities reported that no one else sustained injuries. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by cliffside driving, particularly in mountainous regions like Big Bear.
As this story develops, officials urge drivers to exercise extreme caution when navigating precarious roads. Stay tuned for updates on safety measures being implemented in the area.
