A driver who went an estimated 750 feet off Red Mountain Pass on Thursday required rescue and transport by helicopter to a hospital in Grand Junction, according to Colorado State Patrol.

Trooper Josh Lewis said a report came in about 9:45 a.m. Thursday of a vehicle that went off U.S. Highway 550 on Red Mountain Pass near mile marker 89, just south of Ouray County Road 18 (Forest Service Road 878).

Lewis had limited details about the crash Thursday and did not have information about the driver or the circumstances of the incident.

Lewis said search and rescue crews reached the driver and got the person to the road. He did not know the extent of injuries, but said they were serious enough to require a helicopter transport to St. Mary’s Hospital.

It appears there was only one person in the vehicle, Lewis said. The driver was retrieved from the vehicle and taken to the hospital about 11:30 a.m.

Lewis said the vehicle would have to be retrieved at a later time.

Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes said drivers experienced only slight delays in travel because of the incident.

jromeo@durangoherald.com