Ford F-150 and the 90m drop: Durability tested
A driver in Colorado, USA, miraculously survived after his Ford F-150 pickup truck plunged more than 90 meters into a ravine, a testament to the vehicle's durability and the importance of seat belts.
A rare accident occurred in the state of Colorado, USA, when a Ford F-150 pickup truck and its driver plunged off a cliff on a dangerous road and fell freely into a 300-foot deep ravine. Surprisingly, the driver survived with only minor injuries, an event that highlights the durability of America's best-selling car model.
Accident on 'Million Dollar Road'
The incident occurred on October 9 on Highway 550, also known as the "Million Dollar Highway". This is one of the most beautiful but also dangerous roads in the US, famous for its hairpin turns, narrow terrain and especially the lack of guardrails in many sections. According to a report from the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, the Ford F-150, believed to be of the 12th generation (produced from 2009-2014), lost control and plunged straight into the Uncompahgre Gorge.
Rescue operation and vehicle condition
When rescuers arrived at the scene, they found the pickup truck upside down, its body so badly mangled that it was almost unrecognizable. However, the driver, who was the only person in the vehicle, was still alive and conscious.
A complex rescue operation was conducted by multiple agencies, including Ouray County EMS, Ouray Volunteer Fire Department and Ouray Mountain Rescue. They used professional rappelling techniques to reach the victim and safely remove him from the cliff before transporting him to the hospital.
'Built Tough' Durability and the Importance of Seat Belts
Aside from luck, experts and rescue teams agree that the two key factors that helped the driver escape death were the Ford F-150's sturdy chassis structure and the fact that he was wearing his seat belt properly. The accident became a real-life testament to the "Built Tough" slogan that Ford has built for its pickup trucks for decades.
The Ford F-150 is an icon of the American auto industry, consistently holding its position as one of the best-selling vehicles on the market for over 40 years. First launched in 1948, the model has undergone 14 generations of improvements, constantly improving in performance, technology and especially safety standards. The current generation, launched in 2021, even has an all-electric version, the F-150 Lightning, showing Ford's adaptation to new trends.
The incident once again serves as a warning about the dangers of mountain passes, and at the same time affirms the indispensable role of active and passive safety equipment on modern cars in protecting human lives.
