Colorado driver walks away from dangerous 300-foot highway crash with minor injuries: 'A miracle'
Share and Follow

A driver remarkably emerged with only minor injuries after their vehicle plummeted 300 feet off a Colorado highway, officials confirmed.

The incident occurred on October 9 along U.S. Highway 550 in Ouray, as reported by the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team in a Facebook statement.

At approximately 12:20 p.m., emergency crews responded to a call about a pickup truck that had fallen into the Uncompahgre River Gorge from the highway.

Teams from Ouray County EMS, the Ouray Volunteer Fire Department, and the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team collaborated to create a rope system, allowing rescuers to safely descend to the crash site and reach the vehicle’s sole occupant.

crumpled wreckage of the pickup truck on the side of the mountain

The dramatic accident involved a pickup truck that veered off U.S. Highway 550 on Thursday, October 9, in Ouray, Colorado, plunging 300 feet. (Image courtesy of Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, Inc.)

Officials said the driver sustained minor injuries. 

The rescue team shared photos of the mangled vehicle and the driver walking up the steep ledge with assistance from a rescuer to return to the highway.

Driver and rescuer walking up ledge

Rescuers said the driver walked away from the wreck with only minor injuries. (Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, Inc. )

“Glad he’s not hurt very bad,” one person wrote in response to the rescue team’s post on Facebook. “Time to buy a lottery ticket.”

“Minor injuries after this? WOW! Seems like a miracle,” another wrote.

rescuers on the highway performing a technical rope rescue

Rescuers set up a technical rope system to rappel down to the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle. (Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, Inc. )

U.S. Highway 550, known as the “Million Dollar Highway,” is “a scenic and treacherous mountain road” that is popular among adventure seekers, road trippers and outdoor enthusiasts, according to the town of Ouray’s tourism webpage.

The 25-mile stretch of roadway, however, has earned a reputation as one of the “most dangerous roads in America” due to narrow lanes, sharp turns and lack of a guardrail between the roadway and steep ledge, the site says.

“Though it is labeled as one of the most dangerous roads in the United States, if you stick to the speed limit, stay within the lines, and be aware of your surroundings you will travel just fine,” the page reads. “Campers, Semi-Trucks, and trucks with trailers travel this road frequently.”

The highway was the site of two fatal crashes over the summer, local outlet KKTV reported.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Lou Lamoriello still connected with Islanders in vague advisor role

Lou Lamoriello Maintains Advisory Position with Islanders in Unspecified Capacity

In a recent confirmation by The Post, Lou Lamoriello, the former general…
John Oliver slams Megyn Kelly's 'pedophile math' after Epstein comment

John Oliver Criticizes Megyn Kelly Over Controversial Epstein Remarks: A Deep Dive into ‘Pedophile Math

John Oliver has joined the ranks of critics taking aim at Megyn…
Alabama teen punches dog to save 9-year-old girl from mauling

Brave Alabama Teen Rescues Young Girl from Dog Attack

In a remarkable act of bravery, a teenager in Alabama came to…
'Keep the peace': Jacksonville international grocer withdraws request to build halal meat processing plant after pushback

Community Concerns Lead to Withdrawal of Halal Meat Plant Proposal by Jacksonville Grocer

Apna Bazar, a staple in Jacksonville’s Beach Boulevard retail landscape, has decided…
Former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to disable engines mid-flight avoids prison time

Ex-Alaska Airlines Pilot Dodges Prison After Attempted In-Flight Engine Shutdown

A former Alaska Airlines pilot who attempted to shut down a plane’s…
Anthony Joshua's shock £140m showdown with Jake Paul is CONFIRMED

Anthony Joshua Set to Face Jake Paul in a Confirmed £140 Million Bout

Anthony Joshua is set to step into the ring against Jake Paul…
Ex-wife of NASA astronaut pleads guilty to lying in first alleged 'crime in space' case

Former NASA Astronaut’s Ex-Wife Admits to Lying in Landmark Space Crime Case

In a historic case from 2019, Summer Worden’s unfounded accusation against her…
Florida authorities rescue 122 missing children in historic operation, many exploited and abused: officials

Historic Operation in Florida: Authorities Rescue 122 Exploited and Abused Missing Children

In a significant operation across Florida, authorities have successfully located 122 missing…