Navigation system in crashed car leads rescuers to SP man
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: February 22, 2013
A vehicle navigation/communication system is being credited in helping to lead rescuers to an injured Santa Paula man whose car flew off Highway 150/Ojai Road and down an embankment Tuesday.
The incident occurred February 19 at about 12:40 p.m., according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Sung Yoo, 22, of Santa Paula, was traveling north on Highway 150 when he lost control of the vehicle and went over the side of the two-lane thoroughfare near Mistletoe Road at Steckel Park, in the unincorporated area of the county north of Santa Paula. Yoo’s vehicle traveled about 30 feet down the embankment and left him stranded and out of sight of roadway traffic.
The California Highway Patrol was alerted to the crash though a navigation system in the vehicle, according to a Ventura County Fire Department spokesman. Eleven rescue units responded to the scene, where it was initially reported Yoo would be found trapped in his vehicle that would require a heavy rescue.
Upon arrival, firefighters found Yoo stranded on a hillside but not trapped in the vehicle. A rope and basket was needed to hoist Yoo up the hillside to the highway.
Initially thought to be critically injured, Yoo was transported to Ventura County Medical Center, but according to a CHP spokesman the injuries were later determined to be minor.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
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