November 26th, 2023 by WCBC Radio

 A Maryland State Police Helicopter rescues a man after injuries sustained from a UTV rollover.

At 7:40pm last night, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) was requested to assist Allegany County Fire personnel with the search for a vehicle rollover received by OnStar. Trooper 5, based out of the Cumberland Section responded to the scene. While on scene, the crew of Trooper 5 located a sport style UTV lying on its side down at the bottom of a 200-foot embankment. Trooper 5 was able to direct Fire and EMS personnel to the scene for patient assessment. Two patients were located. Based on patient condition, terrain and the extended extrication time, Trooper 5 was requested to perform an aerial rescue of the more seriously injured patient.

Trooper 5 was configured for a hoist and crew prepped for the mission. The pilots maneuvered the Augusta AW-139 helicopter into a steady 130-foot hover above the terrain, while a State Trooper/Flight Paramedic was lowered below. The Trooper/Paramedic obtained the report from

Fire/EMS personnel, performed an assessment on the injured man and secured him into a “PEP Bag.” The aircraft maneuvered into a 150-foot hover and hoisted the patient and State Trooper into the aircraft. Once the patient was placed into the cabin, Trooper 5 transitioned into a medevac role and the adult patient was transported to UPMC Western Maryland, located in Cumberland, MD for the treatment of his injuries.

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command staffs each helicopter with two pilots and two state trooper/medical clinicians. 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 aerial rescues and all missions performed by the Aviation Command depends a great deal on monthly, quarterly, and annual proficiency training and is a cooperative effort with allied law enforcement, fire department, EMS agencies and our partners with the United States Coast Guard and the United States Park Police.