STATE POLICE HELICOPTER CREW AND FREDERICK CO. ATR TEAM LOCATE LOST HIKER

Frederick, Maryland

On December 31, 2011, a hiker lost in Gambrill State Park was located and rescued by helicopters from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command and the United States Park Police, with support from the Frederick County Advanced Technical Rescue Team. A State Police helicopter crew located the hiker with information provided by Frederick County Emergency Communications and with the aid of night vision equipment. Of note, the State Police helicopter crew located the hiker after “seeing” the faint glow from the hiker’s cellular phone using the night vision equipment. Due to difficulty directing the hiker to safety, members of the ATR team were lowered to the victim, using the rescue hoist on the State Police aircraft, with the assistance of high intensity lighting from the U.S. Park Police helicopter. The Frederick County ATR members then used GPS to escort the hiker out of the park to safety. The hiker was located uninjured and did not require medical attention.