Four Injured in Bad Crash on I-10, Patient Temporarily Trapped, Rescue Helicopter Lands on Closed EB Freeway

Four people were injured Friday in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 east of Dillon Road, at least one patient was trapped, and a rescue helicopter landed on the closed eastbound freeway, according to  the CHP and Cal Fire.

The crash was reported at 1:07 p.m. Oct. 4 near mile marker 69 when at least one vehicle went off the road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Two Cal Fire engine companies responded.

The helicopter LZ was on the eastbound side of the 10, a CHP dispatcher in Indio said in a phone interview.

By 1:44 p.m., one patient with major injuries was extricated from one of the crashed vehicles to be flown to a hospital by Mercy Air ambulance, Melody Hendrickson of Cal Fire-Riverside County said in a statement.

Three other patients, two with moderate injuries and one with minor injuries, were to be transported to hospitals by ground ambulance crews, Hendrickson said. Eastbound lanes were completely shut down for a time.

As of 4 p.m. all lanes were open, the CHP dispatcher in Indio said. The Highway Patrol and American Medical Response also responded.