A Washington State Patrol sergeant climbed down a cliff’s edge Friday morning near White Pass to get to a truck that had gone over a cliff the evening before, and helped the driver get to safety.
The driver, a 42-year-old Yelm man, has since indicated on social media that his injuries are not life threatening.
Trooper Chris Thorson told The Chronicle that WSP was first notified that something might have been amiss by a state Department of Transportation employee driving on U.S. Highway 12 near White Pass. There were markings indicating that a vehicle may have gone off the roadway and down a steep cliff, but Thorson said, at that early morning hour — WSP got to the scene at around 4 a.m. — the lighting was nonexistent, and any efforts would be ill-advised.
Troopers returned to the area when daylight hit, and debris was visible from the road.
WSP Sgt. Brian Mulvaney, Thorson said, has rock climbing and mountaineering experience, and also keeps his gear in his patrol car. Mulvaney made the climb down the cliff to the crashed pickup truck. From there, he found footprints in the snow and eventually tracked the driver to a nearby creek. He then helped him walk another mile or so to a forest service road. Thorson said it’s uncertain just how far down the truck fell.
Additionally, WSP is investigating why the truck went over the cliff. Thorson said the driver advised he was run off the road by a swerving motorist, and WSP is investigating.
Thorson said WSP gives some basic advice for driving in winter, in case you find yourself stranded in cold weather. Try to keep a fully charged cellphone, blankets, water and something to snack on with you in your vehicle. It’s also not a bad rule of thumb, he said, to keep your gas tank topped off.
