A Moraga-Orinda Fire District firefighter injured Monday when the pickup utility truck he was driving during routine fire trail maintenance rolled off an embankment in northwest Orinda was treated at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek and released the following day.
Firefighter David Mazaika, 33, was leading a road grader along the fire trail to check for obstructions or other safety issues, when his utility truck rolled down the 200-foot embankment. Mazaika, a district firefighter for 7 1/2 years, was trapped inside the vehicle. He is listed in stable condition at John Muir Medical Center.
MOFD spokesman Mike Mentink said the accident occurred at 9:52 this morning when the pick-up truck/ utility vehicle rolled off a wildlands trail and down the embankment in steep terrain above El Toyonal road.
A CALSTAR helicopter initially brought in to transfer the injured man to hospital was waved off due to the firefighter's condition as well as weather affecting flight operations in the area.
Steep terrain, fog, high winds, and presence of high tension lines in the area hampered rescue efforts.
An East Bay Regional Parks, California Highway Patrol, and CALSTAR lifeflight helicopter were on hand for the rescue, along with at least two news helicopters.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, fire officials said.
