Man Hurt When Car Plunges Off Ortega Highway
CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST — A man suffered major injuries when his car went off a cliff along the Ortega Highway on Thursday and plunged 250 feet to a creek bed.
A helicopter from El Toro Marine Corps Air Station flew the unidentified motorist to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, where it is believed he was treated for internal injuries and a broken right leg. No reports of his condition were available.
Highway Patrol Officer George Luce said the victim was driving west on the Ortega Highway at 30 to 35 m.p.h. when he entered a turnout alongside the road at 3:40 p.m. According to witnesses, the driver apparently made no effort to brake before going off the cliff, Luce said.
Fire Capt. Don Hayden, whose crew responded to the accident, said the victim was conscious and complaining of chest pains when he was rescued by Orange County firefighters.
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