Helicopter rescues 3 boaters stranded in Patapsco River

Maryland State police used a helicopter to rescue three boaters who had run their recreational vessel aground while navigating the Pataspco River, getting stuck immediately south of the interstate 95 overpass.

Shortly before sunset, the Coast Guard contacted police requesting an aerial extraction of the boaters, one of whom was suffering health problems. Police helicopter Trooper 1 was dispatched from its base in Middle River, Md., to assess the situation. Due to mudflats and shallow, swampy water, the site was deemed inaccessible by boat, and the helicopter crew prepared for extraction.

Traffic on I-95 was stopped during the rescue due to safety concerns of both distracted motorists and the proximity of the rescue. The helicopter positioned itself within 100 feet of the overpass and about 100 feet above the boat, dropping a rescue technician onto the boat. All three boaters were hoisted off the vessel using a rescue basket, then transferred to Shock Trauma in Baltimore for further evaluation.