Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) Performs Three Separate Aerial Hoist Rescues In Talbot, Baltimore, and Garrett Counties Over The Fourth Of July Weekend

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) performed three separate aerial hoist rescues in Talbot, Baltimore, and Garrett Counties over the Fourth of July weekend. 

The first occurred on July 3 in Talbot County after three 18-year-old women became stranded in deep mud and shallow water while jet skiing on Skipton Creek in Wye Mills, Maryland. Because the area was inaccessible by rescue boats due to less than 12 inches of water over extremely soft mud, Maryland State Police Aviation Command’s Trooper 6 was requested to conduct a hoist rescue. 

Trooper 6, based out of Easton, Maryland, responded to the scene, successfully completing two hoist evaluations and recovering all three riders, who were reported uninjured. The flight crew of Trooper 6 then transitioned to a medical evacuation role, and all three were transferred to awaiting fire department personnel in a nearby area. Before conducting the mission, the aircrew established cell phone contact with the stranded riders to explain the rescue process and provide instructions on safely entering the rescue basket. 

Temperatures at the time of the rescue reached 99°F, with a heat index of approximately 115°F, making a timely rescue especially important. 

Later that evening, MSPAC Trooper 1, based out of the Baltimore Section, helped rescue two people after they became stranded while tubing in Big Gunpowder Falls in Cockeysville, Maryland.

The tubers, a male and female, were located in a remote location close to the shoreline of Big Gunpowder Falls, just north of Warren Bridge Road, by emergency services personnel from Baltimore County, after becoming stuck in the waterway and mud around 8 p.m. Due to their location, the surrounding heavily wooded area, extended extrication time, and the poor condition of the surface in the area, Maryland State Police Aviation Command was requested to perform an aerial hoist rescue. 

Baltimore County Rescue Personnel initiated contact and helped direct the tubers to the shoreline and out of the water. Once overhead, the pilots on Trooper 1 hovered the helicopter nearly 200 feet above the dense tree cover and waterway, while the Trooper/Paramedics deployed a rescue basket and trail line below. 

Emergency services personnel on the ground helped secure each patient into the rescue basket, who were then hoisted individually and safely secured inside the aircraft. The flight crew of Trooper 1 immediately transitioned into a medical evacuation role, and both patients were transported to a nearby elementary school to be evaluated by Emergency Medical Services personnel from Baltimore County. After the patients were left in the care of providers on the ground, Trooper 1 then performed a hoist extrication of the lone provider that assisted with the hoist rescue at the same location. The Baltimore County Fire provider was hoisted into the aircraft using the rescue basket and safely secured. He was then taken to the same location as the previous patients. 

On July 5, at around 11:20 a.m., MSPAC Trooper 5, based out of the Cumberland Section, rescued an injured person who fell in the area of Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County.  

Due to the victim’s remote location, extended extrication time, and the nature of the victim’s injuries, Maryland State Police Aviation Command was requested to perform an aerial hoist rescue. The pilots of Trooper 5 hovered over the steep terrain, and once overhead, a Trooper/Rescue Technician was lowered down to a rock in the middle of the river, where the patient was prepared for aerial extraction via an Air Rescue Vest (ARV) device. The patient was then successfully and safely hoisted into the aircraft. Once the patient was inside, the flight crew transitioned into a medical evacuation role, transporting the victim to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. 

The MSPAC utilized the AgustaWestland AW-139 helicopter for all three rescues. The MSPAC has served Maryland citizens since 1970 and operates a fleet of 10 AW139 helicopters from seven bases throughout the State. Each aircraft provides coverage 24/7/365 to Maryland residents and visitors. The MSPAC missions include medevac, law enforcement, search and rescue, homeland security, and disaster assessment. The success of the missions relies heavily on the cooperative efforts of local fire, rescue, EMS, law enforcement agencies, and our partners at the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Park Police.

LINK TO VIDEO OF TALBOT COUNTY RESCUE: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=890029710193275

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