[Transcript]

The Importance of Setting Your Emergency Brake

Now, just imagine you're standing at the lookout, admiring the view, when out of the corner of your eye, you see a car begin to roll backward toward the edge of the cliff. Now, you don't see anyone inside the car isn't empty.

A Frightening Incident in 2010

In 2010, this very scene played out at a nearby overlook here at the park. A dog named Haley, a dingo-akita mix, had been riding along with her owners when they pulled over and stopped at the overlook.

While Haley stayed in the car, the couple stepped out to enjoy the view, but forgot to set the emergency brake. In a freak accident, their Volkswagen Passat began rolling backward across the parking lot toward an opening next to the wall. And over the rim it went, with a frantic Haley still inside.

A Miraculous Escape

Down in the caldera, the car rolled towards the lake, but about halfway down the cliff, the dog skyrocketed out of the open sunroof. Miraculously, Haley was still alive. back up the caldera wall to her astounded and relieved owners. Lucky dog! Haley escaped with just a few cuts and scratches, but the car wasn't so lucky. It took a whole team of climbers and a helicopter to remove what was left of it.

A Close Call in 1922

This wasn't the only time a car plummeted into Crater Lake. Back in 1922, a brand new Lincoln, belonging to a couple from Klamath Falls, Oregon, accidentally rolled over the edge and into the water near present-day Rim Village. Thankfully, just moments earlier, the couple had removed their baby from the car.

So it was empty before it tumbled down the cliff. But what a close call! So what's the moral of this track? Always, So what's the moral of this track? Always, always use your emergency brake when visiting an overlook at Crater Lake.

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Crater Lake National Park Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Crater Lake National Park Itinerary and Know Before You Go.