Firefighters Rescue Man Found Under Cold Spring Bridge Early Saturday Morning

Santa Barbara County Firefighters rescued a man found under Cold Spring Bridge following a car collision early Saturday morning, December 20, 2025.

At 5:57 a.m., firefighters responded to Highway 154 at Cold Spring Bridge and discovered a 69-year-old man found at the abutment footing under the bridge. Crews discovered his vehicle had crashed into a ditch adjacent to Highway 154.

The man reportedly “scurried approximately 200 feet through brush and steep terrain,” reported Captain Scott Safechuck with County Fire Department.

He fell and sustained injuries, become trapped on the hillside. Firefighters set up a rope rescue system as an AMR ground ambulance responded to the scene.

Man Found Under Cold Springs Bridge – Hwy 154 Update

Firefighters assisted the 69-year-old male using a rope lowering system to Cold Springs Road below the bridge. The patient was treated and transported by ground ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with minor to… pic.twitter.com/FRA5J0S7fH

— Scott Safechuck (@SBCFireInfo) December 20, 2025

Crews used a rope lowering system to Cold Spring Road below the bridge. The man was treated and transported by ground ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with minor to moderate injuries.

“It remains unclear why the patient traveled from the roadside ditch down the hillside to the location where he was found,” Captain Safechuck stated.

California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.