Car slipped off the edge of the road

Rescuers with the Campbell County Rural Fire Service saved a woman’s life on Tuesday.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- It was like something you see on TV. Rescuers with the Campbell County Rural Fire Service responded to the call of a car hanging off the road on the side of the mountain with the driver unable to safely get out.

Right at 4:30pm Tuesday, as a cold rain pelted down, a Subaru sedan with the lone occupant behind the wheel slipped off a snowy, icy McCloud Mountain Trail. Way up the trail, at the third switchback, is where the car almost went over.

Given the highly stressful situation, the driver had the wherewithal to call Central Dispatch for help. A couple of Sheriff’s Deputies also responded.

This car slipped off a snowy, icy McCloud Mountain Trail.

Firefighters with the CCRFS were able to secure a strap to the car so the driver could safely exit. The woman, who lives on top of the mountain, was shaken but not injured.

“Four four wheel drive vehicles became stuck in the icy conditions, two of ours and two from the Sheriff’s Office, as they worked to save the lady,” said CCRFS Chief Daniel Lawson.

It took more than an hour, for four, four wheel drive units to make it off McCloud Mountain.

After the rescue, it took the crews more than an hour to get all the emergency vehicles unstuck and back off the mountain, according to Chief Lawson. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-02/02/2026-6PM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF CCRFS CHIEF DANIEL LAWSON)

5 Replies to “Daring rescue saves woman’s life on snowy, icy McCloud Mountain Trail”

  1. I feel for everyone involved – That looks hairy!
    Once upon a time, a few of us high schoolers slid backwards in a jeep on the ice on a strip mine trail north of town – twice. Of course, it was a big drop off to one side. The first time we were coming off the top of the mountain and facing downhill, but slid and spun and got turned around before we stopped. After that we tried to top the trail to where we could turn around, but ended up sliding backwards a long way until the rear end wound up in a shallow ditch. Once we got out of that we were facing downhill again and gingerly made it the rest of the way out. Needless to say, it was a “Come to Jesus!” moment. Cars, mountain roads, and ice often create those moments.

  2. I am that 72 year old woman, Virginia Asher. Thanks so much to ALL involved for saving me.

    2. So glad you’re ok and made it safe I know that road up there very well actually my step dad and I among a couple of others put the road up there back in early 91+93 when Paul and Jim first bought it and started developing it the winters up there are worse than in town be safe up there and prayers that you are ok

    3. Love you my sweet friend if you ever need anything give me a call we bring it up on the four wheeler

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