Maryland State Police Aviation Command Performs Aerial Hoist Rescue For Injured UTV Rider In Frederick County, VA

(GORE, VA) – Maryland State Police performed an aerial hoist rescue for an individual after they became injured while riding a utility task vehicle (UTV) in Frederick County, Virginia, on Saturday. 

Around 2:21 p.m. on Saturday, rescue personnel from Frederick County, VA, were dispatched to a remote area on a trail near Cove Campground for a report of a UTV rollover with an injured patient. Due to the victim’s remote location, extended extrication time, and the nature of the victim’s injuries, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command was requested to perform an aerial hoist rescue. Trooper 5, the MSP helicopter based in Cumberland, Maryland, responded to the scene. 

Emergency medical services and rescue personnel on the ground maintained patient care and assisted with packaging of the patient. A Trooper/Rescue Technician was lowered down to the scene into a clearing in the trees, where the victim was prepared for aerial extraction via a Patient Extrication Platform (PEP Bag). The pilots of Trooper 5 hovered over the wooded area while the patient was successfully hoisted. Once the patient was safely inside the aircraft, the flight crew was able to transition directly into the medical evacuation role, and transporting the victim directly to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. The flight crew of Trooper 5 utilized the AgustaWestland AW-139 helicopter to perform the rescue.

The MSPAC has served since 1970 and operates a fleet of 10 AW139 helicopters from seven bases in Maryland. Each aircraft provides round-the-clock coverage to Maryland residents and visitors. The agency’s 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 partner agencies.

                                                                                                ###

CONTACT: First Sergeant Jeffrey Leppert, (301) 777-8400

Maryland State Police Aviation Command - Cumberland Section