Elderly couple rescued after Jeep rolls hundreds of feet down hillside

It took a team effort to rescue an elderly couple after their Jeep rolled 450 feet down a steep hillside near Telluride Saturday.

The wife managed to call 911 despite critical injuries. Rescuers embarked on an hours-long mission to reach the couple and get them back on safe ground.

Those involved in the rescue mission included EMS and fire personnel out of Telluride, San Miguel County sheriff's deputies, the county search and rescue team, and civilian bystanders. Rescuers were at constant risk of rockfall as they made their way with ropes down to the Jeep, then carried the couple back up on stretchers, the sheriff's office said.

Once back on solid ground, husband and wife, both 72, were transported to Telluride Medical Center and later flown to Grand Junction. Both suffered multiple critical injuries.

The crash was reported off Tomboy Road near Royer Gulch, east of Telluride.