Sliding off the road into a ditch is one of the more dramatic-looking roadside calls. The recovery procedure depends on the depth of the ditch, the angle the vehicle came to rest at, and whether other obstacles (trees, fences, embankments) are involved.
Step 1 is safety. If the vehicle is at an extreme angle, drivers and passengers should exit (carefully — opening doors on a tilted vehicle can be dangerous) and wait above the ditch for recovery.
Step 2 is positioning the recovery vehicle. The tow truck needs a stable position to winch from, often parked on the road shoulder with hazards activated and cones deployed. In heavy traffic situations, police coordination may be needed to close a lane.
Step 3 is the actual winch-out. Multi-anchor rigging is sometimes needed when the angle is awkward. Slow, controlled winching prevents further damage from sudden movement.
Step 4 is post-recovery inspection. The vehicle may be drivable, or it may need a tow to a shop — depends on damage from the slide itself.