Rollover leaves two critical

Thursday, June 20, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Two people were in critical condition at University Medical Center today after their car flipped several times down an embankment near the Lake Mead visitors center.

National Park Service Ranger Bob Belden said alcohol and excessive speed appeared to contribute to the driver losing control of the car at 10:40 p.m. Wednesday near U.S. 93 and Lakeshore Road.

"The road curved left, the car didn't," said Belden, noting that the Park Service may cite the driver, whose identity he did not release.

One of the car's four occupants suffered critical head injuries after being thrown from the vehicle and was flown by a Flight for Life helicopter to UMC.

Rescuers had to extricate the driver, who was pinned inside the vehicle, and Flight for Life made a second trip to UMC just before midnight with the victim, a Mercy Ambulance dispatcher said today.

The remaining two passengers were taken by ambulance to Boulder City Hospital with moderate injuries, Belden said. Their conditions were not available.

The victims' identities were not released. The Nevada Highway Patrol assisted park rangers with traffic while crews cleared the accident, the NHP said.