Driver of Bronco on Sand Mountain taken to hospital after crash

File photo shows a Life Flight helicopter on Sand Mountain, Washington County, Utah, September 2017 | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The driver of a 2021 Ford Bronco was taken to the hospital by Intermountain Life Flight Saturday afternoon after the vehicle crashed and rolled over on the Sand Mountain OHV Area.

In this file photo for illustrative purposes only, a man is flown to the hospital after a rollover on state Route 7 in St. George, Utah, March 30, 2018 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News

Utah State Parks Ranger Candace Smith told St. George News that the original dispatch went out shortly after 3 p.m. stating that there was a vehicle that needed assistance. 

“When we arrived on scene, the owner of the vehicle was alert and talking,” Smith said. “He said he was okay. As far as the vehicle, in terms of damage, for how fast he said he was going, I’ve seen way worse.”

Smith said that the Bronco drove over a dune too fast and instead of landing softly it landed on the front end of the vehicle, causing some damage. All the force and impact was on the front end of the vehicle, she said.

“The medics were concerned about back injury,” Smith said, noting that the airbag in the Bronco deployed and did its job. “The driver had a few scrapes and bruises but nothing that needed to be stitched.”

Out of a concern for what might be internal injuries, Smith said, the helicopter took the driver off the mountain and to St. George Regional hospital. 

Responding to the scene were personnel from Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Utah State Parks, Hurricane Valley Fire Department, Intermountain Life Flight and Washington County Search and Rescue. 

“There were multiple people on the scene that arrived before us and knew the driver,” Smith said. “The driver’s son as well as other community members were able to help and got the Bronco off the mountain.”

Details for this report were provided by law enforcement personnel and may not include the full scope of the findings.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.

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