Hereford, MD – The Prettyboy Dam, located north of Baltimore, Maryland, was the scene of an aerial rescue conducted by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command and first responders from Baltimore County Saturday, according to Maryland State Police.
Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 3, based in Frederick, was dispatched to the Prettyboy Dam at approximately 1:45 pm, to assist in the rescue of a drowning victim. The dam is located on the Gunpowder River within the Prettyboy Reservoir, a forested watershed in northwestern Baltimore County.
Responding firefighters and paramedics from the Baltimore County Fire Department had gained access to the patient, initiated care, and determined that hoist extraction would be the safest and most expeditious manner of getting the patient to a hospital. Trooper 3’s pilots maneuvered the AW-139 helicopter into position 160 feet above the base of the dam and a trooper/rescue technician was lowered to the scene.
The patient was packaged in a rescue litter and an aerial hoist was successfully executed. The patient was accompanied during the hoist extraction by the MSP Rescue Technician, who continued care during the evolution. Trooper 3’s crew subsequently transported the drowning victim to the University of Maryland, R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center while providing in-flight advanced medical care.
This rescue was successful because of the close collaboration between State Police Aviation and the Baltimore County Fire Department. The rescue also highlights the capabilities of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. Ten AW-139 helicopters based out of seven sections across the state provide medevac, search and rescue, aerial law enforcement, and homeland security services and are prepared to assist in even the most challenging missions.
State Police did not release the condition of the patient.
Image Credits: Baltimore County Fire Department