Maryland State Police Press Release
05/06/2015
05/06/2015
(ASSATEAGUE ISLAND, MD) -- On May 5th, 2015 at approximately 6:30pm, Worcester County Emergency Services (911 Center) received a 911 call from a 26 year old female kayaker. She had been kayaking in Sinepuxent Bay in the area of the Assateague Island National Seashore. She was lost, fatigued and unable to find her way out of a marshy area. The kayaker also reported she felt she was becoming hypothermic. The only location reference she could provide was a marshy area several miles south of the Verrazano Bridge.
In addition to National Park Service (NPS) staff, the Berlin Volunteer Fire Company and Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) were alerted. MSPAC Trooper 4 responded from the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico County Regional Airport with a crew of four. Prior to departing the hangar, the crew quickly rigged the aircraft for hoist operations. While enroute the crew prepared the USCG Rescue Basket in case it was needed.
Worcester County Emergency Services dispatchers were able to stay in contact with the kayaker via her mobile phone. The dispatchers played a crucial role in relaying information between the victim and rescue personnel. Shortly after arriving in the search area, Trooper 4 located the kayaker. She was found on the eastern side of Sinepuxent Bay several miles south of the Verrazano Bridge. The location was not accessible by foot or rescue vessels.
A decision was made to rescue the kayaker via Trooper 4’s rescue hoist. Worcester County Emergency Services dispatchers were able to relay information to the victim about what was going to happen and what she needed to do. After this information was relayed Trooper 4 lowered the Rescue Basket and quickly extricated her from the marsh. Trooper 4 then flew her to the western base of the Verrazano Bridge. Trooper 4 landed and transferred her to Berlin Volunteer Fire Company personnel for further evaluation and to meet with NPS staff. The kayaker was not injured and did not require medical treatment.
This search and rescue incident highlights the importance of carrying an appropriate communication device during recreational activities. The kayaker was able to call for help and 911 dispatchers were crucial in coordinating the response and rescue. 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: Sgt. Mike Mann - Maryland State Police Aviation Command Salisbury Section - (240) 793-7204
13 comments:
Kayaking always looked risky to me.The last time I was fishing a kayaker rowed by our boat app 5 miles out.The waves were pretty rough,but he seemed to be handling it OK.Better him than me.
So what happen to the Kayak??
Great job to our community emergency response staff. You guys obviously did a nice job. :) Thanks for all you do !
she claimed she felt like she was getting ready to experience Hypothermia, in 70 - 80 degree weather??? Really?!?!?!?!?
My concern is this. How much was the cost of the operation? Who was billed? In theory our tax dollars are supposed to support this kind of thing. And we certainly pay a lot of taxes here in Maryland. However, I learned the hard way last year that these "services" are not paid for. She will be billed. I just wonder how much.
what bunch of critical experts you all are. it is nice outside. put the keyboard down get off your fat butts and go outside to blow the stink off of you. ge a better attitude while you are at it!
3 17 you hit the nail right on the head. a life was saved and most of the losers on here are just worried how much it cost. if it was their family member they would be praising what a great job.
3:17 and 3:50, you're just as stupid as the kayaker. If you're stupid you pay. Now, who needs to put the keyboard down?
From the article - "The kayaker was not injured and did not require medical treatment."
Come on, 3:50. Kudos to the rescue team, but I don't think that "a life was saved".
1:55, Why don't you go out and look for it so you can bring it back to her. I doubt that it was on Trooper 4's priority list.
Cheeze!
Back in the days before mobile phones, I got stranded on Bloodsworth Island overnight while fishing in that area due to a storm the blew across the Bay. It was still an active bombing site for PAX at that time. Found a duckblind, drank a few of the beers that were left and ate the last chips. Weather was nice in the morning - did some more fishing and headed home. Didn't need any helicopter to save me. Sounds like ms. yuppie got turned around/lost and scared. Another weekend warrior biting off more of mother nature than she could handle. Walk east out of the marsh and you hit S. Point Rd.
2:22
Check out the temperature in OC vs Salisbury this time of year. It is always colder there until the water heats up. Im sure she was just scared and lost.
She was rescued and is safe. That is all that matters now.
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