(Frederick County, MD) On May 20, 2014 at 7:07pm, Frederick County Fire Rescue personnel were notified that a 21-year-old hiker had fallen approximately 30 feet from the side of a cliff.
Due to steep, remote terrain and the nature of the victim’s injuries, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command was requested to perform an aerial hoist rescue. Trooper 3, the MSP helicopter based in Frederick, Maryland, was dispatched to the mission by the SYSCOM Duty Officer.
Frederick County Medic 23, from the Urbana Fire Department, maintained patient care during ground operations. A Frederick County Fire Rescue/Advanced Tactical Rescue (ATR) Team member was on the ground and secured the victim for aerial extraction. The patient was moved to the summit of the cliff by Frederick County ATR personnel for clear access by the helicopter to perform the aerial rescue.
Trooper 3 hovered over an opening in the trees and successfully hoisted the victim. A member of the Frederick ATR Team was lifted along with the victim to assist with medical care during the hoist. Once the patient was hoisted safely to the aircraft, the flight crew was able to transition directly into the medical evacuation role, and transported the victim to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, for further assessment and treatment. The flight crew of Trooper 3 utilized the new AgustaWestland AW-139 helicopter to perform the rescue.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has served Maryland citizens since 1970. Aviation Command missions include medevac, law enforcement, search & rescue, homeland security, and disaster assessment. The success of rescues performed by the Aviation Command depends a great deal on the cooperative effort of local fire, rescue, EMS, and law enforcement agencies.
