Army pilots expertly land Black Hawk helicopter on knife’s edge ridge to save injured hiker
David Roza - 1h ago
An Oregon Army National Guard helicopter crew took the phrase “cliffhanger” literally this weekend when they landed a 65-foot long Black Hawk helicopter on a snowy ridge line about two-to-three feet wide in order to rescue an injured mountain climber. The precarious landing took place on Saturday and was part of a rescue effort for a 43-year-old man climbing Mt. Hood, a volcano east of Portland, Oregon.
An Oregon Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter evacuated an injured climber from the slopes of Mt. Hood, Oregon on July 2, 2022 (Photo via Clackamas County Sheriff)
According to a Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office press release, the man lost his ice ax, fell 600 to 700 feet, and sustained serious injuries at around 6:30 that morning. Professional and volunteer searchers combed the mountain before reaching the injured climber about four hours later. At around 1:00 p.m. the Oregon National Guard helicopter arrived and dropped off two medics who packed the patient onto a litter, then loaded him into the helicopter, which then flew him to a Portland-area hospital.
News Release: Injured Climber Airlifted by Oregon Army National Guard HelicopterClackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies launched a search-and-rescue mission after a climber fell several hundred feet near the Old Chute area of Mt. Hood. The climber was transported off the mountain with serious injuries to an area hospital.At around 6:30 am on Saturday, July 2 a 43-year-old man from Happy Valley was climbing Mt. Hood, when he fell several hundred feet and sustained serious injuries. Witnesses reported the climber lost his ice axe and fell approximately 600-700 feet from the summit ridge to the rocks above the Hot Rocks fumarole.Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Coordinators activated a mission and deployed to Mt. Hood, setting up a command center at Timberline Lodge. Volunteer searchers also deployed to the mountain from teams including Portland Mountain Rescue (PMR) and the Crag Rats. Additionally, searchers with American Medical Response's Reach and Treat Team responded and the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was notified.Just before 10:30 a.m. rescue crews were able to reach the injured climber and took over patient care from a combat comptroller who was on scene when the incident occurred and was administering medical. Around 1 p.m. a helicopter from the Oregon Army National Guard arrived at the location and dropped off 2 medics. A litter was also lowered. The medics packaged the patient in the litter and the litter was hoisted into the helicopter. The injured climber was flown to a Portland-area hospital where he is receiving medical care.Climbing on Mt. Hood is dangerous during all times of year due to the steep and icy conditions of the mountain and this is the second accident in about a week in the same area of Mt. Hood.On June 24, a 31-year-old woman from Portland was climbing Mt. Hood, when she fell several hundred from the summit ridge down the Old Chute, resulting in critical injuries and a helicopter evacuation.[END] Deputy John WildhaberClackamas County Sheriff’s OfficePublic Information Unit
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/army-pilots-expertly-land-black-hawk-helicopter-on-knife-s-edge-ridge-to-save-injured-hiker/ar-AAZgcgW?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=42986b414c8042c8a28b5aa943db5ba8#image=3
