State Police Helicopter Crew Hoists Injured Victim From Chimney Rock In Catoctin Mountain Park

(THURMONT, MD) – At about 1:45 p.m. today, Maryland State Police helicopter, Trooper 3, based at Frederick Municipal Airport, was dispatched to Chimney Rock in Thurmont to assist with the extrication of an injured victim who had fallen approximately 30 feet.  Chimney Rock is located in a remote area in the Catoctin Mountains.

Rescue crews from Thurmont and the Frederick County Advanced Technical Rescue (ATR) Team were able to make contact with the victim approximately 45 minutes after the 911 call.  Due to the injuries, terrain and the extended time for extrication by land, Frederick County requested a State Police helicopter for a hoist extraction.

The helicopter crew configured Trooper 3 for an aerial hoist operation and arrived overhead. The pilots maneuvered the AW-139 helicopter into a steady hover position 100 feet above the rescue crews and survivor.  A trooper/rescue technician with medical equipment and the Patient Extrication Platform (PEP bag) were lowered into a very small and challenging opening in a heavily wooded and rocky area.  The trooper/rescue technician assisted with lifesaving care, patient stabilization and securing the patient into the rescue device with the assistance of fire department personnel. The trooper/rescue technician and victim were then hoisted up to the helicopter. Once the patient was secured inside the aircraft, Trooper 3 transitioned to its medevac role and transported the patient to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, for further treatment.

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has served Maryland citizens since 1970, and operates a fleet of ten helicopters from seven bases throughout Maryland on a 24/7/365 basis.  Missions include medevac, law enforcement, search & rescue, homeland security, and disaster assessment.  The success of rescues performed by the Aviation Command depends a great deal on the cooperative effort of local fire, rescue, EMS and law enforcement agencies.

CONTACT: Lieutenant Nathan Wheelock, Commander

Helicopter Field Operations

410-238-5804

or

Lance Wood

Deputy, Director of Aviation

410-238-5802

File photo