A 48-year-old man injured in a horse fall in the backcountry was in a helicopter and on his way to Mercy Regional Medical Center in about an hour and 20 minutes.

The accident took place west of Missionary Ridge Road (County Road 253) northwest of Bear Park, said Butch Knowlton, director of the La Plata County Office of Emergency Management.

“We talked to his companion after he got to a point where he could call 911,” Knowlton said. “We got GPS from the phone, but I’m pretty familiar with that country, and he described the accident site to a ‘T.’”

Knowlton called in CareFlight and said the helicopter was able to land within about 100 yards of the injured man, who suffered a hip and leg injuries.

“I put people on standby,” Knowlton said, “but the rescue happened so fast, I didn’t need to call them in.”

Knowlton did not know the injured man’s name or where he is from, but he said the companion’s cellphone did not have a (970) area code.

“I’m just glad we were able to help the man,” Knowlton said, “and get him to the hospital quickly.”

abutler@durangoherald.com