A 26-year-old woman was seriously injured Wednesday evening in a bicycle crash at Moraine State Park, prompting emergency crews to call in a medical helicopter to the park's McDanels Launch area. The Butler County 911 Center received the call just before 5:30 p.m. reporting an unresponsive woman who had fallen from her bike.
According to ButlerRadio.com, Slippery Rock EMS and Portersville first responders arrived to find park rangers already with the woman, who was bleeding from the mouth and head. Responders reported no obvious fractures, though the extent of her injuries beyond what was observed at the scene has not been detailed.
Helicopter Called To McDanels Launch
Given the severity of her condition, a STAT MedEvac helicopter was called to land at the park's McDanels Launch area. The exact circumstances of the crash — including what caused her to fall and whether anyone else was involved — have not been released.
Her identity, hometown, and current medical condition have not been made public. The precise spot within the sprawling park where the crash occurred has also not been specified beyond the helicopter's landing site.
A Broader Pattern On Pennsylvania Roads
The crash arrives amid a troubling statewide trend. Bicyclist fatalities in Pennsylvania rose from 19 in 2024 to 28 last year, and of those 28 deaths, 14 involved riders who were not wearing a helmet, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Whether the Moraine State Park rider was wearing a helmet has not been confirmed.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health defines bicycle injuries to include harm to cyclists in both traffic and non-traffic accidents.
No official statement from park rangers, Butler County emergency services, or a hospital has been released regarding the woman's condition following her transport. The report on the crash was authored by Tyler Friel and published Thursday.
