Caltrans Equipment Operator II

Department of Transportation

12/3/2006

Special Service Award (Silver)

On December 3, 2006, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Caltrans Equipment Operator II Gary Hahn was on rock patrol on State Route 96 in rural Siskiyou County when he noticed faint skid marks on the pavement. Mr. Hahn walked up and down the Klamath River Road scanning the location and saw a partially submerged vehicle in the river. Working through Caltrans dispatch, Mr. Hahn notified the CHP. The vehicle had gone over a nearly vertical embankment covered in blackberry brambles and poison oak. Broken glass littered the ground. Despite the potential of sliding down this dangerous slope into the icy-cold Klamath River, Mr. Hahn descended the steep grade, tripping and falling, and came upon a critically wounded young woman. Mr. Hahn stayed with her until rescue personnel arrived. Due to the rough terrain, the injured woman had to be transported out by helicopter.