Mingus Mountain UTV Rollover 2016

While scouting a planned Rx burn block, a UTV was involved in a rollover. This UTV has an installed Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) and seat belt for operator protection. As the UTV descended down an earthen bank, the right front steering drive wheels grabbed the ground really hard. “The steering wheel was ripped from my hand, turning the UTV sharply into the bank,” the operator explained. The operator tried to maintain control and quickly stopped the the UTV--but it was too late. “The UTV just seemed to lean over and hang there for about five seconds,” the operator said. This gave the operator an opportunity to unhook his seat belt and try to walk away—but at the same time, the UTV started a slow roll onto the driver’s side. The driver hunched down as the ROPS (roll cage) slowly came over him and the UTV came to an immediate stop. The operator was hunched over within the ROPS framing and simply walked through the ROPS enclosure to safety. 

Driving, RLS, Prescribed Fire, Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) Incident