Air Ambulance En Route to UTV Crash Off of Alderpoint Road
Reach Air Ambulance [Photo used with permission from Southern Trinity Area Rescue]
Alderpoint Fire, along with other emergency personnel are responding to the scene where the reporting party will lead them to the scene of the accident where the single occupant of the UTV is located.
An air ambulance has been requested. Scanner traffic indicates that Reach has just confirmed that they are able to respond to the scene.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
UPDATE: One Dead in Tragic Crash West of Alderpoint
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Good that we finally have clear skies
And much less wind.
There are multiple vehicles parked along the road in rhe switchbacks as you start to drop down towards Alderpoint coming from town.
Please use caution in the area.
Who’s paying for the air ambulance? I suspect it’s us.
Nope usually the patient unless they have insurance…
Air ambulances are private. Unless the person has insurance, it’s their bill.
Last time I heard, a Reach or CalStar ride might cost $15,000. They’re an ambulance in the air. MediCal will cover it if you qualify. A CalFire copter can move you real quick, closer to a ground, or air Ambulance. That is free, if it’s safe to do. As a patient, you don’t really get to decide. It’s really an interpretation, by everyone involved as to how BAD you have it. It’s not usually a fun ride if they decide to fly for you. It’s a pretty rarely used tool considering, around here, two air ambulances serve the whole area between here, Redding, and Ukiah.
We’re lucky to have them when we can, they’re a great application of American spirit, technology, training, people, and tax money when it comes to it.
$15 grand? Try twice that or more. I’d rather die than pay that kind of extortion and I’m not kidding in the least. My husband got pneumonia not too long ago and the hospital wanted to send him to UC Davis via air ambulance. He refused to go, telling the doctor “You couldn’t afford an air ambulance on YOUR salary. What makes you think I can afford it on mine?” My husband is retired, btw. Needless to say, once he refused to transfer out, RMH suddenly found a bed for him. Funny how that works.
I would gladly pitch in on the cost if it helped save the person. Geez
Rude…
If you aren’t familiar with private insurance I hope you are never exposed to any self-inflicted injuries that require medical treatments. Otherwise, if an accident befalls you, I wonder who will pay for it.
I suspect it will be us.
Private medical insurance often does not pay for air transport. Their claims people will find the ride “medically unnecessary”. You may have an agreement with one of the air evac companies but there is no guarantee that the company that shows up will be the one you pay your money to….
Yeah. Private insurance can refuse to pay any bill and frequently, they do. Or they pay only a very small portion of it. Blue Cross refused to pay my ER bill when I fractured my knee. They say it’s to discourage unnecessary ER visits. As I told the person I talked to on the phone in an attempt to get them to pay the freaking bill, if a broken knee isn’t an emergency, I don’t know what is. They also refused to pay the ambulance bill, too. They said I could’ve taken a private car.
Insurance sucks. Majorly.
Pretty rude comment. If it saves someone’s life, is it not worth the 50 cents a year you contribute??
My son had to fly and we signed up for a reach membership for only 100$ a year everyone should have it
https://www.airmedcarenetwork.com/air_ambulance-service/coverage-area-pricing?ads_cmpid=11896622142&ads_adid=116245883259&ads_matchtype=b&ads_network=g&ads_creative=490010154190&utm_term=reach%20membership&ads_targetid=kwd-334496859484&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&ttv=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl5Kn74jV_AIVMx-tBh1edw-YEAAYASACEgIUQPD_BwE
It’s great as long as you need it when the weather is clear. Otherwise, they won’t fly.
It’s a matter of life and death. That you are upset about a potential miniscule monetary cost to you says a lot about who you are.
Please consider your harsh words. Air ambulances are usually reserved for very serious injuries or when time is essential, making it a horrific day for those involved and the people that love them.
May you never need one or have someone callously talk about financial burden if you do.
Thank you Lisa.
Very much appreciate your words.
Its so true, My heart sinks when I see the air ambulance, it means someones in a bad way.
Personally Id be glad to pay a tax that made sure everyone has access to life flight.
A yearly membership is a great gift to give loved ones!!
Who even let this dbag post this comment. Most people around here have the annual subscription and even If they don’t, who gives a f*. I wonder if you got in a life threatening wreck, should we scratch our heads and worry about who’s floating the bill? Shit bags like yourself should do us the favor and go for a far swim
We, as a household have cal or life flight. Only bout $100 year. I’m not sure which helicopters it covers. I been paying for years, so I would hope that it is helicopters that fly around here.
Insurance doesn’t create flying weather….
Hopefully you never need the lift.
[edit] I’m sure when you say “us?” you probably don’t even pay your taxes if that’s the assumption as to what would pick up the bill. I’m sure I know this person and I hope for everyone involved, they live!!!
I’m praying for the family as well…
Well hey, let’s give it to Zip for drawing out some information. Maybe his concerns, once aired, can be addressed.
To the air Ambulance membership. Don’t quote me, but I think the two services that fly here are both covered now, making pretty likely you’ll be covered if you are enrolled. Plus I’m pretty sure the insurance covers fixed wing med flights, which might even be more common, but happen out of the limelight. These planes will get you to a hospital with specialists after you get stabilized locally.
You should leave this place.
Ur mom foots the bill
If it were your family member you wouldn’t give a damn who is paying for it! Grow up!
My insurance company would cover this…
Who cares who is paying for it.! Have some decency for the family ! You probably couldn’t afford it, so keep your rude comments to yourself.
Why would it matter who pays for a life saving source!!! How about hope they get there in time!!!life is priceless
That is a pretty shitty thing to say.
How rude and ignorant. In case you just crawled out from Underneath a rock or are inept on the logistics of rural living……all air ambulances are out of your own pocket or through the 3 air ambulance companies own insurance. PERIOD. We’ve used ours 3 times. Definitely worth it. One time CAMP came…..that was free..so 4 times. Hope the person is OK!
It appears this article wasn’t updated, but the Helicopter was returned before landing, sadly the patient did not survive. At this point all comments should be condolences to the family. Also keep all the first responders in your thoughts these are hard calls for us to go on.
Yes, very sad indeed.
And thank you, to you and to each and every member of your team, for your many acts of selfless and steadfast dedication in assisting our respected and beloved community members, and their families, through thick and thin.
You all have my utmost respect and gratitude.
My sincerest condolences to the family.
Reach air ambulance is a real game changer here. I appreciate we have that option. BTW: They turned the helicopter back as The person in this article did not survive.