WALHALLA, S.C. - The South Carolina Army National Guard’s 2-151st Aviation and South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (SCHART) teamed up to rescue a hunter in Walhalla, S.C., Nov. 5. The hunter suffered a gunshot wound and needed to be airlifted out of the area.
"It was a successful mission. The crew did an awesome job. We had the hunter hoisted out and on his way to the hospital quickly," Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mark Shuford, Black Hawk pilot for the S.C. Army National Guard.
"The rescuers on the ground had the hiker ready to go when we got there. If we hadn't been able to get there, he was looking at a six hour hike out and he may not have made it through," said Ricky Burgess, SCHART team member.
“He was already in shock and had lost a lot of blood," said Dan McMannis, SCHART team member.
The SCHART recovered the patient and dropped him off at the Mountain Rest Fire Department where he received medical attention and was taken to the hospital.
“I spoke to the medic that was the primary care giver and he could not say enough how we saved this man’s life,” said Scott Krein, Oconee County emergency management director.
“This quick response and transport of the injured hunter speaks to the professionalism and dedication of our air crews and first responders who train together,” said Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr., the adjutant general for S.C. “Congratulations to the SCHART for a job well done in answering the call to save this man’s life.”
The South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team is a collaborative effort between the State Urban Search and Rescue Task Force and highly-trained pilots and crew members from the S.C. Army National Guard. Together they make a cohesive unit capable of performing helicopter rescue.