Saturday, August 9, 2025

Woman Rescued After 300-Foot Plunge Off Angeles Crest Highway Above Pasadena

A woman was airlifted to safety Friday afternoon after her vehicle plunged 300 feet off Angeles Crest Highway near Mile Marker 28, in a remote canyon area above Pasadena. The dramatic multi-agency rescue operation involved the Pasadena Police Department and Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, among others, according to KCBS News.

An electricity crew working in the canyon witnessed the fall and initially attempted to assist before calling 911, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant John Gilbert.

“They took one of their workers and went down and were trying to help this person,” Gilbert told KCBS.

The rescue effort mobilized 20 personnel from five agencies, including Los Angeles County Fire, Air Rescue 5, Pasadena Police Department, and search and rescue teams from Altadena and Montrose.

The operation was complicated by power lines directly overhead the crash site, requiring the woman to be loaded into a rescue basket and hoisted out by helicopter.

During the mission, one rescuer was stung by a bee and suffered an allergic reaction, prompting a second aerial hoist to extract the injured team member.

“These things do happen in rescue work,” Gilbert said. “Thankfully, we were able to adapt and overcome and get everyone home safe.”

Both the woman and the rescuer were transported to local hospitals and are expected to recover.

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, established in 1951, is one of eight Los Angeles County search and rescue teams.

Gilbert credited Pasadena police as part of the operation but their role is not known.