Lightning Complex Vehicle Accident 2003

On August 28, 2003, at approximately 1915 hours, five individuals from StrikeBack #2, a Pacific Northwest contract 20-person crew, were injured when their crew cab pickup rolled. The crew had been released from the Lightning Spike Camp to travel to the Lightning Complex Incident Command Post located in Joseph, Oregon to be demobed the following morning. The crew had traveled approximately 10 miles from the Lightning Spike Camp when--for an unknown reason--the vehicle left the Dug Bar (County Road 735) and rolled approximately 300-feet down a steep slope. Although two of the crew were ejected from the vehicle, all occupants were thought to have been wearing seat belts. Two crewmembers were transported by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington. Three crewmembers were transported by ambulance to Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise, Oregon.

Vehicle Incident or Accident