A simple turnaround attempt in Colorado’s Poudre Canyon nearly turned into a much more complicated rescue after a driver backed a van onto a steep embankment above the Poudre River.
According to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, the driver was attempting to turn around on Highway 14 near Mishawaka when he backed up a little too far. The van came to rest at an angle on the slope, leaving the driver unable to safely exit the vehicle.
Photos released by authorities show just how awkward the situation became. Officials estimated the van was hanging on by roughly five inches, with the front tires serving as the vehicle’s only anchor on stable ground.
Responders from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District, and the U.S. Forest Service secured the van with a winch attached to a fire truck before helping the driver out. A tow truck later recovered the vehicle, and thankfully, nobody was injured.
Photos Show Just How Close the Van Came to Sliding Down the Embankment
The sheriff’s office credited quick teamwork between multiple agencies for preventing what could have become a much more difficult recovery operation.
The incident also serves as a reminder that mountain roads can be surprisingly unforgiving when drivers attempt to turn around in areas that weren’t designed for it.
Austin Powers Made It Look Funny
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Most drivers have had an Austin Powers moment at some point. You miss a turn, realize you’re going the wrong way, and suddenly find yourself trying to squeeze a three-point turn into a space that probably wasn’t meant for one.
The difference is that real life doesn’t come with a film crew, multiple takes, or a perfectly flat hallway.
The safest solution on roads like Highway 14 is usually to continue driving until you find a pullout, trailhead, parking area, or another location specifically intended for turning around. It may add a few minutes to the trip, but it is much cheaper than calling a tow truck and several emergency responders.
If a turnaround absolutely can’t be avoided, keeping your drive wheels and most of the vehicle’s weight on the pavement is generally the safer approach. Once a vehicle’s heavy end starts moving onto a soft shoulder or steep embankment, gravity tends to take over the decision-making process.
Fortunately for this driver, the story ended with a ticket, a tow truck, and a valuable lesson rather than a van in the Poudre River.