SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS, Calif. – A woman was rescued and airlifted to a trauma center Tuesday morning after her vehicle veered off Highway 18 and tumbled approximately 200 feet down a steep embankment between Running Springs and Big Bear, according to authorities.
The dramatic rescue began after an iPhone crash detection alert automatically notified emergency responders of a possible accident around 9:46 a.m. on November 11 near mile marker 39. The feature, built into newer iPhone and Apple Watch models, detected the severe impact and immediately alerted the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Rescue Operation on Rugged Terrain
Responding crews from the San Bernardino County Fire Department and the Big Bear Fire Department arrived at the scene to find a vehicle completely hidden from view and resting 200 feet down a rocky slope.
Firefighters quickly located the solo female driver, who was trapped inside the overturned vehicle and suffering from a head injury.
“The patient was found in steep, rugged terrain and required a technical rope rescue,” the San Bernardino County Fire Department said in a written statement.
Crews established a rope system to reach the woman, assess her injuries, and safely lift her back up to the roadway. Once stabilized, she was transported by ground to a helicopter landing zone at Snow Valley, where an air ambulance transferred her to a regional trauma center for further treatment.
Coordination and Response
CHP logs indicate that the vehicle was not visible from the roadway, which made locating the crash site more challenging. Rescue personnel implemented one-way traffic control along Highway 18 during the operation while working with towing services to retrieve the damaged vehicle from the ravine.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. Preliminary information suggests the driver lost control of the vehicle while navigating a curve along the mountain highway, though no official cause has been confirmed.
“This was an incredibly technical rescue in challenging conditions,” said a spokesperson for San Bernardino County Fire. “The coordination between agencies and use of advanced technology made all the difference in saving this driver’s life.”
Apple’s Crash Detection Feature Credited
Authorities credited the iPhone’s Crash Detection feature with alerting emergency services quickly enough to make a life-saving difference. The system uses motion sensors, accelerometers, and advanced algorithms to detect severe impacts. If the user doesn’t respond within 20 seconds, it automatically contacts 911 with the phone’s GPS location.
“Without that automatic alert, the vehicle would have been nearly impossible to spot from the highway,” officials said.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department has since shared footage of the rescue, showing firefighters navigating steep terrain and using harness systems to extract the driver.
Ongoing Investigation
The driver’s condition remains undisclosed, though officials said she was conscious and alert during the rescue. The CHP continues to investigate whether speed, distraction, or mechanical failure played a role in the crash.
Motorists traveling along Highway 18 are urged to use caution, particularly in mountain sections where visibility is limited and road shoulders are narrow.
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