VSP Med-Flight 2 Flight Nurse Carl Harrison, Trooper-Pilot Ben Farmer and Flight Medic Earl Carter (not pictured) rescued a hiker. (Source: Virginia State Police - Facebook)
TAZEWELL Co., Va. - A Virginia State Police Med-Flight crew rescued an elderly Richmond hiker, who was lost on the Appalachian Trail, on Oct. 23.
As reported by wwbt, flight Nurse Carl Harrison, Trooper-Pilot Ben Farmer and Flight Medic Earl Carter were called to assist the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office with finding the Richmond hiker who was unable to find his way out of the mountainous terrain.
When Med-Flight arrived, there were about 30 minutes of daylight left and near-freezing temperatures left on top of the mountain.
The Med-Flight immediately spotted the hiker, but it would have taken ground crews about five to six hours to reach the mountain top where the hiker was.
The flight crew examined the clearing and decided to rescue the hiker themselves.
“But as the helo made the approach, they found the surface was too steep to fully land the aircraft. Instead, they decided to do a right-front skid-touching pickup, just as they’d practiced at their Aviation Base in #Abingdon,” Virginia State Police posted on Facebook.
While Farmer kept the helicopter steady, Harrison jumped out and helped bring the hiker to safety.
Police said the man was affected by the cold temperatures but did not have any series injuries.
Ever thought about a career as a Flight Medic, Flight Nurse, Flight RT or EMS Pilot?
Join our Future Flight Crew Private Facebook Group. It's chock full of talented folks who will help you succeed.
Answer 3 simple questions to join, takes less than a minute.
CLICK THE BANNER to Sign Up (It's Free):
EMS Flight Safety Network is The People Who Keep Air Medical Safe
- EMTs | Medics | Nurses
- Pilots | Firefighters | ER Staff
- Security | RRTs | Trauma Doctors
- Landing Zone Coordinators | Dispatchers
- Specialty Transport Teams | Flight Surgeons
- Flight Communication Specialists | Mechanics | Chaplains
- Police | Fire Police | CNAs | NICU Nurses | Retirees | Veterans
- The Family, Friends & Coworkers Who Support These Professionals
