Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 5, based at Greater Cumberland Regional Airport, was dispatched at about 8:30 a.m. on Sunday to a remote hiking trail near Oldtown, Maryland to assist with the extrication of an injured subject deep into the woods.
The subject was injured while hiking the Log Roll Trail in the Green Ridge State Fore requiring assistance to get out of the woods. Rescue crews from Oldtown Volunteer Fire Department (MD), District 16 VFC (MD), and Paw Paw VFC (WV) were able to make contact with the hiker approximately 45 minutes after the 9-1-1 call. Due to the individual’s injuries, terrain, and the extrication time, rescue personnel requested the assistance of the Aviation Command for an aerial (hoist) extraction.
Maryland State Police pilots maneuvered the AW-139 helicopter into position 200 feet above the rescue crews and injured hiker. A Trooper/Rescue Technician, medical equipment, and the extraction device were lowered into a very small and challenging opening in a heavily wooded valley. The Trooper/Rescue Technician assisted with lifesaving care and patient stabilization before securing the hiker into the rescue device with assistance from fire company personnel.. The Trooper/Rescue Technician and injured hiker were then hoisted into the aircraft where additional care could be provided. The hiker was then flown to UPMC Western Maryland Medical Center for treatment.
The incident utilized personnel from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command, Allegany County Fire/EMS, District 16 Fire/EMS, Paw Paw Fire/EMS, and UPMC Western Maryland Medical Center.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has served Maryland citizens since 1970, and operates a fleet of 10 helicopters from seven bases throughout Maryland on a 24/7/365 basis. 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.
Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 3, based at the Frederick Municipal
Airport, was dispatched to a remote mountainous area on the Weaverton Cliffs at
approximately 1:40 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 to assist in the rescue of an
injured hiker. A hiker had fallen approximately 20 feet down a steep embankment
and was unable to be moved.
Responding rescuers from the Potomac Valley, Brunswick, Harpers Ferry, and Rohrersville volunteer fire companies, as well as paramedics from Washington County EMS 1812, had gained access to the patient, initiated care and determined transportation by medevac helicopter to a trauma center would be most appropriate. Rescuers also requested that Trooper 3 conduct an aerial recon to determine if an aerial rescue could be completed. Trooper 3 performed a detailed overflight of the area and determined that a hoist was possible. Trooper 3’s pilots maneuvered the Augusta Westland 139 into position 95 feet above the rescuers and patient. A rescue device and Trooper/Rescue Technician were lowered from the AW-139 to the providers below.
The patient was packaged in a rescue device and an aerial hoist was successfully executed. The patient was accompanied during the hoist extraction by the MSP Rescue Technician, who continued care during the evolution. Trooper 3’s crew subsequently transported the injured hiker to a regional trauma center while providing in-flight advanced medical care.
This rescue was successful because of the collaboration between Maryland State Police Aviation Command, Potomac Valley, Brunswick, Harpers Ferry, and Rohrersville volunteer fire companies, and the advanced life support providers on EMS 1812. The rescue highlights the capabilities of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. Ten AW-139 helicopters based out of seven sections across the State provide medevac, search and rescue, aerial law enforcement, and homeland security services and are prepared to assist in even the most challenging missions.