Major Crash Closes Wildcat Canyon Road

Wildcat Canyon: On Wednesday, March 10th at 2:26 PM, the Heartland Communications Center dispatched two engine companies, a rescue company, an ALS ambulance, and a Battalion Chief to a reported "head-on collision on Wildcat Canyon Rd just north of Stelzer Park. Initial reports indicated multiple vehicles with a possible trapped victim, and another vehicle on it's roof. Based on the initial information Battalion 1 requested an additional engine company respond to the incident.

Battalion 8 (Barona: Chief Sandoval) was in the immediate area and responded to the incident. On his arrival it was obvious there were multiple patients so an additional ALS ambulance was requested. Engine Company 2 (Eucalyptus Hills) and Engine Company 27 (Barona) arrived on-scene and started sorting out the scene. Engine Company 2 initiated the triage of patients and was assigned to overall medical control. Engine Company 27 started extrication on the trapped occupant. Engine Company 1 (Riverview Station) arrived on-scene and assisted in treating the injured parties while Rescue Company 3 (Lake Jennings Station) assisted with the extrication.

On the arrival of Battalion 1 (Larkin) a total of five injured parties had been identified, so an additional ALS and BLS ambulance was requested. This brought a response from Medic 6 (El Cajon Fire Department) and an EMT ambulance from AMR. On the arrival of Medic 1 (Riverview Station) and Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Station) they loaded the more seriously injured and transported them to Sharp Memorial Trauma. On the arrival of Medic 6, and the AMR ambulance, additional patients were loaded for transport to Sharp Memorial Hospital. Three patients were serious enough to require assessment in the Trauma Center.

Wildcat Canyon Road was closed for 90 minutes because of the crash and subsequent investigation. 

Drivers are reminded to slow down when roadways are wet...!

Information Provided By:

Battalion Chief Brent Larkin

Firefighter-Paramedic Justin Loffredo

Photos By:
Interim Fire Chief Andy Parr