During the Fourth of July weekend, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) was called upon for a crucial rescue mission in Preston County, West Virginia. A person had suffered injuries after rolling a UTV side-by-side in a remote mountainous location, necessitating an advanced aerial hoist extraction due to the difficult terrain and critical nature of the victim's condition, as reported by Maryland State Police.
The incident, which occurred last night, took place around 8 p.m., when ground rescue teams initially assessed the situation. Recognizing the need for an aerial intervention, MSPAC's helicopter based in Cumberland, Maryland, designated Trooper 5, was dispatched to facilitate the rescue. Upon arrival, a Trooper/Rescue Technician was lowered into a clearing along Cheat River, with the patient later hoisted aboard the helicopter using a patient extrication platform.
Throughout the operation, emergency medical services and rescue personnel already present at the scene played an indispensable role in maintaining patient care and assisting with patient preparation for aerial transport. The MSPAC pilots expertly maneuvered the Augusta AW-139 helicopter, conducting a stable hover at approximately 100 feet above the scene for successful patient extraction.
After securing the victim in the aircraft, the flight crew promptly transitioned to the medevac role, transporting the individual to West Virginia University Ruby Memorial Hospital, located in Morgantown, West Virginia, for critical care and treatment.
