Maine Army National Guard Makes Another Rescue

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Sgt. Kevin McBreairty, a crew chief with Company C, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation regiment, guides the hoist -hook from a Blackhawk helicopter to the hands of two waiting crew members on the ground.

AUGUSTA, ME (06/23/2014)(readMedia)-- The Maine Army National Guard made another medical evacuation Sunday when they rescued a 60-year old man who had taken a fall at Baxter State Park.

Baxter State Park Rangers called the Aviation Support facility for the second time in less than two weeks to help evacuate a hiker who needed medical attention. According to the park rangers the man was hiking with friends on Dudley Trail at Mount Khatadin when he fell approximately 20 feet.

Maine Army National Guard Soldiers Maj. Nathan Arnold, pilot in command of the mission Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tyson Ober, pilot, Sgt. Greg Milliken, flight medic, and crew chief Sgt. Joe Leclair reported to Bangor from their homes and workplaces to respond. The location of the rescue made it impossible for the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to land on the trail so the medic was lowered to the ground where he prepared the injured man to be lifted with a cable hoist system.

After immobilizing the patient, Milliken along with several people on the ground moved the man who had suffered possible head and spine injuries to an area 50 feet down the mountain where he was hoisted to the safety of the aircraft.

Baxter State Park Rangers had requested the Blackhawk fly directly to Eastern Maine Medical Center based on the patient's condition. Milliken kept the patient in a stable condition until they arrived at the hospital where he was admitted for further treatment.