Valley Regional Authority Firefighters made a challenging rescue Wednesday night, pulling a motorist from a steep embankment on an off ramp to Highway 18 near Auburn.

A Washington State Patrol Trooper first arrived on location at the ramp to State Route 18 at Southeast 304th Street at about 7 p.m. The Trooper found one vehicle more than 200 feet down a steep embankment and called for assistance. The Valley Regional Fire Authority, Kent Fire, and King County Medic One were dispatched to assist with the rescue.

The State Trooper made contact with the driver, who was found conscious. But due to injuries and the steep terrain, the driver was unable to climb to the road.

Crews then deployed a rope system with a rescue basket to safely return the occupant to the roadside. Paramedics treated and transported the driver to the Auburn Regional Medical Center, where the person was in stable condition.

The right lane of westbound SR 18 and the off ramp to 304th Street were closed temporarily, but later re-opened.