Rescuers responded to three mountain bike crashes this week at the Phil’s World trail system east of Cortez.
On Wednesday at 12:20 p.m., a man riding with his son in the Rib Cage section crashed and was knocked unconscious temporarily.
His son dialed 911 on a cellphone, and emergency crews from Cortez Fire Protection District responded, said Chief Jay Balfour. An ambulance from Southwest Health System also responded.
The man regained consciousness and appeared to be OK, Balfour said. He was transported to Southwest Memorial Hospital for observation. Another mountain biker had stopped to help the injured man until emergency crews arrived.
While at the scene of the bike crash, an injured woman who had also crashed nearby walked up seeking assistance, Balfour said. She had an injury to her elbow and was transported to Southwest Memorial.
An intensive care nurse from San Juan Medical Center who happened to be preparing for a mountain bike ride at the trailhead offered her assistance to rescuers and she was brought to the scene to aid medical staff.
“She is always ready to help out,” said her riding companion.
On Monday, a teenage mountain bike rider also crashed on the Rib Cage, a fast section of trail that features rolling topography. She injured her shoulder and had to be carried down the trail on a rescue litter to a waiting ambulance and was then transported to Southwest Memorial.
Cortez Fire sent EMTs, paramedics, and firefighters to the scene using existing dirt roads within the trail system. They also deployed a rescue ATV outfitted with emergency equipment.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com