An unusual search and rescue operation emerged on Monday for an occupant of an SUV that is reported to have plummeted 1,000 feet down a hill on Saturday night in Ventura County. The details surrounding the incident are sparse and the exact circumstances of the crash, which took place in the vicinity of Deer Creek Road, approximately two miles north of the Pacific Coast Highway, remain unclear.
According to preliminary reports, an injured rear passenger, who experienced severe injuries, managed to extricate himself from the white Cadillac SUV. This information was reported by photojournalists working with OnScene.TV, a video news service provider. It is reported that the man somehow managed to hike back up to the road. He was subsequently picked up by his brother and rushed to a local hospital.
Only on Monday at noon, when it was reported by the man who was able to hike up to the road, the authorities became aware of the crash. He also reported that there were two other occupants present in the vehicle at the time of crash.
Following this information, search and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene of the cliffside crash. Around 4 pm, the California Highway Patrol officers successfully traced the SUV. They received assistance from Ventura County Sheriffs and Fire departments, as well as crews with the Oxnard Fire Department, including helicopter, drones, K-9, and search and rescue teams.
At approximately 7:30 pm, fire officials reported that they had located one of the missing occupants at their residence. Around 9 pm, the search parties were able to access and search the vehicle. However, they were unsuccessful in locating the second missing occupant, leading to the suspension of the search till Tuesday morning.
it remains unclear why the crash was not reported earlier, and the identity of the remaining missing person – whether they were the driver of the vehicle or another passenger – is not known. No additional details were released regarding the incident.
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