Hiker saved by South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team

Photo By 2nd Lt. Jorge Intriago | A South Carolina Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk crew, part of the South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, return to McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Eastover, South Carolina after conducting a rescue mission of a hiker who had a medical emergency in Oconee County, S.C., June 25, 2015. The SC-HART was notified an individual with a life-threatening emergency was in remote area in Oconee and needed to be extracted to receive urgent medical care. The team successfully completed hoist missions to extract the patient and returned before sunset. (U.S. Air Force photo by South Carolina Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago/Released)  

EASTOVER, SC, UNITED STATES

06.25.2015

Story by Lt. Col. Cindi King 

South Carolina National Guard

EASTOVER, S.C. The South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team saved a hiker with a life threatening emergency from a remote area in Oconee County, South Carolina, June 25.

The SC-HART team was notified around 5:30 p.m. that medical authorities in Oconee had reached a hiker in a remote area who was in urgent need of further care, but was located miles away from roads in mountainous terrain. The SC-HART capabilities were requested, as they can reach remote areas quickly with a South Carolina National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk and team who conduct hoist operations.

“The terrain was definitely difficult and it was hard to believe the gentleman had made it so far in the mountains,” said Sgt. David Roupe, a crew chief and hoist operator with Alpha Company 1-111th General Aviation Support Battalion, South Carolina Army National Guard. “We conducted multiple hoists to get the medic to the patient along with equipment and then safely extract them.”

The SC-HART crew were able to depart McEntire Joint National Guard in Eastover, pick-up team members along the way, save the hiker and return to their first stop before sunset.

“It was a very successful day for the HART team,” said Dan McManus, SC-HART Team Leader. “This mission saved the medical team on the ground a six-hour dangerous hike to get the man to safety.”

McManus added that the trees in the Oconee Mountains in the summer are thick and he was impressed with the air crew being able to find the location of the hiker and personnel on the ground so quickly.

“This was a very challenging mission that was executed superbly,” said McManus. “Everything and everyone just came together and it worked.”

• Date Taken: 06.25.2015
• Date Posted: 06.26.2015 00:59
• Story ID: 168228
• Location: EASTOVER, SC, US