Unconscious skydiver rescued

First responders from the Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire Department (BD/LFD) rescued a skydiver who lost consciousness mid-jump near the Mesquite City Municipal Airport in Arizona on August 22. According to BD/LFD Chief Jeff Hunt, they were called in by Mercy Air to help locate and extricate the victim.

The experienced female skydiver’s parachute had opened, but with no guidance, she landed in a ravine. Hunt reported that while she was conscious and talking when found, she had sustained neck, back, ankle, and knee pain, along with a black eye. She told responders that she had never passed out during a jump before. The woman was safely positioned on a backboard and winched out of the ravine. She was transported to St. George Regional Hospital in stable condition.

“She is lucky to be alive,” Hunt said.

Traffic incidents and safety reminders

BD/LFD also responded to a vehicle collision on Sunday, Aug. 24, around 3:00 p.m. A pickup truck pulling a trailer on I-15 Southbound rolled onto its side near mile marker 9, just after the Virgin River Gorge. The two occupants had minor injuries and declined hospital transport. The accident caused a two-mile backup and a one-lane closure for about an hour. Chief Hunt reminded drivers pulling trailers to use extra caution by slowing down and staying focused.

On Saturday, a driver lost control after a tire blowout in the Virgin River Gorge, colliding with a barrier. The solo occupant reported on social media that she was fine with minimal injuries.

With a holiday weekend approaching and extreme heat warnings in effect, both the Mesquite and Moapa Valley Police Departments issued reminders for travelers to stay hydrated and obey all traffic laws to ensure a smoother and safer journey.