(CASCADE, MD) — The crew of the Maryland State Police helicopter based in Frederick assisted area fire departments earlier this week with the successful hoist rescue of a person who had fallen off a cliff in the mountainous area of Highfield-Cascade.
Fire Departments from the surrounding area along with the crew of Trooper 3 were summoned to the area around 7:00 pm Tuesday to rescue a victim who had suffered a 75 foot fall from a cliff.
The crew of Trooper 3 responded along with area fire departments to the call for help about 7:00 p.m. The report was a person had fallen about 75 feet from a cliff and had sustained serious injuries. Due to the victim’s location and the nature of his traumatic injuries, an aerial hoist was determined to be the most appropriate method of extraction that would ensure rapid transport to a trauma center.
As ground crews continued medical care to the patient, Trooper 3’s crew positioned the aircraft in a hover at a site located about 75 feet down the mountain. Using their training and the advanced capabilities of the AW-139 aircraft, the crew of Trooper 3 deployed a crew member from the aircraft to the victim. Fire department personnel, along the crew members of Trooper 3, worked diligently to stabilize and package the victim for an aerial hoist operation. The crew of Trooper 3 performed a successful hoist and transported the victim to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command operates a fleet of ten Augusta-Westland AW139, helicopters based at seven sections throughout the state. This mission is a clear demonstration of the multi-mission capability these aircraft provide to our allied public safety partners and the citizens of Maryland.
