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This afternoon, members of the Duluth Fire Department responded for the report of a 54 year old female that had fallen from her bike whilst mountain biking on a steep trail in the 40th Avenue West and Skyline Parkway area. 

The patient had fallen and was not able to make her way out to the trailhead. She was with a partner biker who called for help. Their location was pinpointed by firefighters, who with EMS personnel from Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service were able to get to her location within sixteen minutes from time of dispatch. She was provided medical care and packaged for transport. 

Crews were able to get her out of the woods by placing her on a backboard within a basket designed for carrying someone for this type of rescue. Some rope systems had to be built to provide safety when traversing some of the more steep and difficult portions of the trail.

The patient was brought to safety and transported to a local hospital for examination. She was conscious upon transport. 

Duluth Police assisted in traffic control on Skyline due to the complexity of the response and placement of equipment in the area.

The Duluth Fire Department would like to remind residents and visitors who use our remarkable trail system to do so with caution.

-Always bike with a partner.

-Always have a plan of what trail head you are using when going into the woods and a time that you will be out of the woods. Let someone who is not with you know your plans.

-Always bike within your level of skill and remember that the trail and its conditions can change at any time. The trail you remember on your last biking session may be different on this session.

-Remember that there is other traffic that may affect the trail and your ability to quickly maneuver.

-Always be aware of your surroundings and the time it might take to rescue you should you become seriously injured. Typically patient access is not the problem, it's removing the patient from their location. Please think about your own safety first.