Courtesy photo A CareFlight helicopter flew an injured ATV rider to a Reno hospital on Saturday after an accident near 9-Mile Ranch.

Courtesy photo
A CareFlight helicopter flew an injured ATV rider to a Reno hospital on Saturday after an accident near 9-Mile Ranch.

An accident involving an all terrain vehicle in Mineral County sent one man to Reno via CareFlight Saturday evening.

Two male riders were participating in a Sierra Safari event in the 9-Mile Ranch area, when the ATV they were riding in blew a tire and rolled.

Mineral County Search and Rescue (MCSAR) was dispatched to approximately one mile west of the ranch where the accident had occurred. There, they found the adult male driver, with injuries to his left forearm after the ATV had rolled over. Riders in the group had taken quick thinking measures and applied a tourniquet to the upper arm before rescuers arrived.

Jerry Chidester, MCSAR’s only licensed emergency medical technician, quickly evaluated the patient and situation and was able to stabilize the arm and patient in order for CareFlight to come directly to the scene.

27 minutes after being informed of the injured rider, CareFlight sat down on the road, in the perimeter cordoned off by MCSAR and two EMT personnel from Mineral County Fire Department.

Dick Allen, owner of Sierra Safari out of Casaic, Calif. has been running the back roads of Mineral County for the last 37 years, saying, “Hawthorne is one of my favorite spots.”

“I want to thank search and rescue in Hawthorne. This is not the first time we have used them. They were there for us a few years ago. It’s comforting to have them there,” Allen said.

The rider was flown to Reno where he underwent surgery on the arm and due to the efforts of all involved, it has been reported that he has feeling in his fingers.

“The driver was wearing a helmet and five-point seat belt. It is merely an accident. It could have happened to anyone. He is fortunate enough to have had his hand saved,” SAR Vice President Dennis Bunch said.

Despite the accident, Allen said that next year hand restraints will be installed in the equipment.

Bunch commended those who were called out on the rescue. “These people drop everything they are doing. Family, dinner or whatever to help those in need. I’m extremely proud of the members of search and rescue.”