Take it easy out there guys.
http://news.kron4.co...o-recover-body/


SARATOGA — Firefighters are rappelling down an embankment along state Highway 9 in the Santa Cruz Mountains Monday afternoon to recover a body from a pickup truck that tumbled off the roadway, a CHP spokesman said.

Cal Fire and Santa Clara County fire personnel are trying to reach the truck, which fell about 125 feet down an embankment, CHP Officer Chris Falkowski said.

The identity or sex of the victim is not yet known, nor is the approximate time of the accident, which happened in the area of Heather Heights Road near the border of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, Falkowski said.

Cal Fire employees were driving on the highway on their way to an unrelated non-injury accident when they saw fresh skid marks leading off the roadway, Falkowski said.

The firefighters went down the hillside and found the pickup truck, which had overturned onto its roof, and found the deceased person inside, Falkowski said.

The CHP was notified of the crash at 9:18 a.m.

Falkowski said the truck is lodged in a steep, heavily wooded area just east of where Highway 9 converges with state Highway 35.

 

Was up there on Saturday (great early morning drive) but by 10 am the drive down hwy 9 was getting crowded with bikes and cars headed up. Have fun but be safe.

 

Damn that sucks, hopefully the person didn't pass from not getting help, crappy way to go if that was the case

 

Off all the places on 9 what a strange place to go off. Too bad.

 

I'm assuming you have your spot picked out already?

 

I would imagine he went off a few corners before or after the tight hairpin going uphill where many accidents seem to occur. Not right by Skyline like the map showed. There are definitely some spots there that I would not want to be going off. I am surprised with the amount of accidents and traffic on 9 that they don't build more guardrails. Or maybe at least some signs with skull and cross bones on them or something.

 

Dangerous roads. Be careful. Especially in a pickup. This notice is only a fraction of the incidents that occur up there on a weekly basis. Try signing up for the "smc" (San Mateo county) alerts. They send you this stuff by text and email and its at a scary frequent interval.

 

I would imagine he went off a few corners before or after the tight hairpin going uphill where many accidents seem to occur. Not right by Skyline like the map showed. There are definitely some spots there that I would not want to be going off. I am surprised with the amount of accidents and traffic on 9 that they don't build more guardrails. Or maybe at least some signs with skull and cross bones on them or something.
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LOL, love the idea for skull signs!

I used to drive that section when I first moved out here and even took my parents in the back seat of my S4 once down the hills. I think those were my younger days of thinking I was invincible. Too many close calls in my cars and motorcycles that I pretty much don't drive these roads anymore. I don't consider myself a pro driver but I do think I'm better at avoiding accidents than the average driver with all my snow driving experience. A lot of the asian ladies I encounter in suv's and minivans really should never drive these roads. So I think big warning signs at the entrance to these roads can't hurt to prevent some of these accidents.

Last time I drove highway 9 was with my wife for our 2 year anniversary brunch at the HMB Ritz. I remember going pretty slow in the NSX and some idiot was on my butt trying to pass. Eventually I let him pass only to find him crashed about 8 miles ahead, what a doofus!

 

It's been pretty damp in the hills the last few days. Drive safe, everyone.

 

South Dakota does something similar - every place there is a fatal traffic accident, they place a THINK sign. (more info)