MSP Helicopter Based In Frederick Rescues Woman Who Fell Along Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Woman taken to Shock Trauma for treatment(WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD) – A Maryland State Police helicopter crew rescues a woman after injuries sustained from a long fall off of a cliff.Shortly after noon yesterday, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command was requested to assist Washington County Fire personnel with the extraction of a hiker that fell approximately 50 feet off of a cliff along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Knoxville. Trooper 3, based out of the Frederick Section responded to the scene.While on scene, the crew of Trooper 3 was able to locate the victim and fire personnel at the base of the cliff. Based on patient condition, terrain and the extended extrication time, Trooper 3 was requested to perform an aerial rescue of the victim as her condition was deteriorating.Trooper 3 was configured for a hoist and crew prepped for the mission. The pilots maneuvered the Augusta AW-139 helicopter into a steady 110-foot hover above the terrain, while a State Trooper/Flight Paramedic was lowered below. The Trooper/Paramedic obtained the report fromFire/EMS personnel, performed an assessment on the injured woman while addressing her injuries and secured her into a “PEP Bag.” The aircraft maneuvered into a 120-foot hover and hoisted the patient and State Trooper into the aircraft. Once the patient was placed into the cabin, Trooper 3 transitioned into a medevac role and the adult patient was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma, located in Baltimore, MD for the treatment of her injuries.