Firefighters used a rope system to rescue a woman who was injured Tuesday evening when her vehicle plunged over the side of Highway 154 near Santa Barbara.
Firefighters used a rope system to rescue a woman who was injured Tuesday evening when her vehicle plunged over the side of Highway 154 near Santa Barbara. Credit: Santa Barbara County Fire Department photo

A motorist was injured Tuesday evening when her vehicle plunged over the side of Highway 154 near Santa Barbara, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. in the eastbound lanes near Windy Gap, fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.

The sedan ended up about 150 feet below the roadway, and firefighters used a rope system to bring the injured driver and sole occupant back up to the highway.

She sustained minor to moderate injuries, Safechuck said, and was transported by AMR ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Her name and details on her condition were not available.

Highway 154 was closed in both directions in the area of the crash, forcing motorists to use alternate routes.

Safechuck said the highway was likely to remain shut down for about an hour.

The crash was under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

— Noozhawk editor in chief Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.