Monarch Firefighter Injured Rescuing Crash Victim Down Embankment

A vehicle was found approximately 50 feet off the roadway at the intersection of Wildhorse Creek Road and Missouri Route 109 at Chesterfield's border with Wildwood Thursday, about 3 a.m.

Monarch Fire Protection District emergency responders found the vehicle down a steep embankment on its side resting against a tree, with a patient partially ejected. The patient sustained significant injuries, said Monarch's Fire Marshal Roger Herin.

Update to Article 11:09 a.m.:  officers, who also responded to the accident scene, said the victim was a "male from St. Charles."

Herin said the extrication and rescue was challenging due to the steep terrain, foliage and darkness. "A fire pumper was needed to provide lighting, manpower and other support for the extrication and patient care," he said. "An additional pumper was needed for manpower."

The rescue squad was used to secure the vehicle while firefighter/paramedics extricated the patient, he said. The team established a rope hauling system to bring the patient up the steep embankment.

An ambulance transported the patient from the accident scene to the landing zone for Arch Helicopter, which was needed to transport the patient to an area hospital. 

An additional ambulance was called for a firefighter/paramedic injured by a fall while attempting to access the patient, Herin said. 

The condition of the patient is unknown at this time, Herin said, however the injured firefighter/paramedic was treated and released from a local hospital. 

All units were back in service at 4:35 a.m., Herin said.