Man rescued from under his pickup after several days in a ravine

UPDATE: Officials have identified the 21-year-old as Joe Rightmire.

A 21-year-old man who had been missing for several days was rescued from his overturned pickup in the vicinity of Taylor Mountain Road and Henry Creek Road Monday night.

Someone who was actively searching for him discovered the three-quarter ton white pickup about one-half mile off Canyon Road, about 20 minutes southeast of Idaho Falls.

When firefighters and law enforcement arrived, they found the vehicle had rolled down a ravine and landed on its top in a small, narrow creek bed, according to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. The man had been ejected and was pinned under the vehicle. Part of his body was in the water.

Despite the length of time he had been there, the man was conscious and talking to rescuers. A medical helicopter was called in at around 8 p.m.

There was no cell phone coverage in the area and it was difficult for rescuers to reach the scene.

They used large airbags that were inflated under the pickup. Heavy extrication equipment was also used to get the man out from under the vehicle. He was flown to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and reported in stable condition.

The pickup has been removed from the ravine by Hendrickson Towing, using a boom truck.