MD STATE POLICE HELICOPTER HOISTS TWO VICTIMS SWEPT AWAY BY FLOOD WATERS

On April 16, 2011 at 11:41 PM, a Maryland State Police Dauphin II Helicopter based in Frederick Maryland, Trooper 3, was dispatched by SYSCOM to provide mutual aid to Latimore Township, Adams County Pennsylvania. The aerial search and rescue request was received from the Latimore Township Police after two occupied vehicles were swept off a flooded roadway into swiftly moving flood waters.

The Trooper 3 flight crew of four consisted of; Pilots Simon Ayling and Steve Lubberstedt, Trooper/Flight Paramedic James Harsh, and Frederick County Advanced Technical Rescue Team Leader Chris Kunkle. The aircraft arrived at 11:50 PM and identified one vehicle in Bermudian Creek, approximately 350 yards downstream from where the vehicles reportedly left the roadway. The SUV was lodged in the swollen creek entangled by partially submerged trees and the operator had climbed out of the SUV onto a tree limb above the vehicle. Rescue boats were not able to access the distressed victim. Utilizing the aircraft rescue hoist, a basket was lowered to the victim, who climbed into the basket and was safely hoisted into the helicopter. The victim was treated for hypothermia by the flight crew and released to local Fire/Rescue for additional evaluation and treatment.

Trooper 3 was directed by rescue crews to the second vehicle with the victim reportedly clinging to the roof of the vehicle. The second vehicle was also located in the Bermudian Creek near the 1700 block of Braggtown Road approximately 250 yards downstream. Rescue boats had attempted to extricate the victim however the water current was too swift and their vessels became entangled in trees and brush prior to reaching her. Utilizing the aircraft rescue hoist, a basket was lowered to the victim, who climbed into the basket and was safely hoisted into the helicopter. The victim was treated for hypothermia by the flight crew and released to local Fire/Rescue for additional evaluation and treatment.

Trooper 3 completed five additional missions related to the severe weather event. Four of these incidents occurred in Frederick County, MD. One mission involved providing overhead lighting for a fire department rescue of a person in a submerged vehicle on Rt. 40 in Myersville. No aerial rescues needed to be performed in Frederick County by the crew of Trooper 3.