December 17th, 2023 by WCBC Radio
Maryland State Police helicopter crew rescues a woman after injuries sustained from a long fall off of a cliff.
Shortly after noon yesterday, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command was requested to assist Washington County Fire personnel with the extraction of a hiker that fell approximately 50 feet off of a cliff along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Knoxville. Trooper 3, based out of the Frederick Section responded to the scene.
While on scene, the crew of Trooper 3 was able to locate the victim and fire personnel at the base of the cliff. Based on patient condition, terrain and the extended extrication time, Trooper 3 was requested to perform an aerial rescue of the victim as her condition was deteriorating.
Trooper 3 was configured for a hoist and crew prepped for the mission. The pilots maneuvered the Augusta AW-139 helicopter into a steady 110-foot hover above the terrain, while a State Trooper/Flight Paramedic was lowered below. The Trooper/Paramedic obtained the report from
Fire/EMS personnel, performed an assessment on the injured woman while addressing her injuries and secured her into a “PEP Bag.” The aircraft maneuvered into a 120-foot hover and hoisted the patient and State Trooper into the aircraft. Once the patient was placed into the cabin, Trooper 3 transitioned into a medevac role and the adult patient was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma, located in Baltimore, MD for the treatment of her injuries.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command staffs each helicopter with two pilots and two state trooper/medical clinicians. The MSPAC has served Maryland citizens since 1970 and operates a fleet of 10 AW139 helicopters from seven bases throughout the State. Each aircraft provides coverage 24/7/365 to Maryland residents and visitors. The MSPAC missions include medevac, law enforcement, search and rescue, homeland security and disaster assessment. The success of the aerial rescues and all missions performed by the Aviation Command depends a great deal on monthly, quarterly, and annual proficiency training and is a cooperative effort with allied law enforcement, fire department, EMS agencies and our partners with the United States Coast Guard and the United States Park Police.
