Emergency crews carry Anthony Carbin, 32, of Parker, in a Stokes basket to an ambulance after he crashed his utility terrain vehicle about 9:50 a.m. Wednesday on Route 68 in Oakland Township. Carbin had to be rescued after he was thrown out of the UTV and ended down an embankment.
OAKLAND TWP — A Parker man was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital Wednesday after losing control of his utility terrain vehicle and crashing into the guardrail on Route 68.
State police report the wreck occurred about 9:50 a.m. while Anthony Carbin, 32, was on his way home after an early morning of fishing. Carbin was thrown from the vehicle and down an embankment about one-half mile west of Bonniebrook Road, ultimately landing in and around thick bushes.
A medical helicopter later flew him to an unspecified Pittsburgh hospital.
Ken Blatt, assistant chief for the Oneida Valley Volunteer Fire Company, said it appeared Carbin suffered head and back injuries, but was conscious and alert. His condition was not available.
Trooper Dustin Scheerbaum said Carbin faces at least two citations, one for illegally driving the UTV on the road.
He apparently was not out for just a quick spin on the Kawasaki Teryx 750.
“He said he was fishing by Lezzer Lumber (in East Butler),” Blatt said, “and he was headed home.”
Police said Carbin was traveling east when he drifted over the opposing lane and traveled off the road, hitting the guardrail. The vehicle rode the guardrail a short distance before authorities believe Carbin was thrown out the side.
He landed about 30 feet down an embankment.
Firefighters and an East Butler Ambulance crew used a Stokes basket to bring Carbin up the hillside to an awaiting ambulance. He was driven to the nearby former Oakland Township Elementary School, where a STAT MedEvac helicopter landed before flying him to the hospital.
Carbin's wife later showed up at the scene. She told authorities her husband went fishing in East Butler and was headed home. She noted, police said, that he normally takes trails to and from the destinations.
“I don't know where he can get from East Butler all the way to Parker (using trails),” Scheerbaum said, “but obviously he's not on a trail right now.”
The crash reduced traffic on the road to one lane for about an hour before both lanes were reopened about 11:05 a.m.
