(MARRIOTTSVILLE, MD) — A Maryland State Police helicopter crew hoisted the victim of a horseback riding accident Saturday afternoon from a remote location in Carroll County, providing medical care and a flight to a trauma center in Baltimore.
Shortly after 1:00 p.m., the Maryland State Police Helicopter Dispatch Center received a call from the Carroll County 911 Center regarding an equestrian accident with an injured patient. Preliminary information indicated the victim had sustained a traumatic injury after an horseback riding accident in a remote area near the Henryton section of Carroll County.
The crew of Trooper 1, from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command Baltimore Section, was dispatched and began preparing for a hoist mission. Once overhead, an aerial reconnaissance was conducted of the scene which was a creek bed along a heavily wooded area. The crew determined the best method of extraction was the deployment of the rescue technician and the patient extrication platform.
The rescue technician was lowered to the ground with the extrication platform and provided immediate care, while securing the victim in the rescue device. When ready, both the extrication platform with the victim and the rescue technician were hoisted into the aircraft by the second paramedic on board as the two pilots hovered the helicopter over the scene. After successfully hoisting the patient to the aircraft, the crew of Trooper 1 continued advanced life support care and transported the patient to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for further treatment and evaluation.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command operates a fleet of ten Augusta-Westland AW-139, helicopters based at seven sections across Maryland. Today’s mission is a clear demonstration of the multi-mission capability these aircraft provide to our allied public safety partners and the citizens of Maryland.
