Rescue 3 Called to Hoist Severely Injured Patient to Safety

Rescue 3 Called to Hoist Severely Injured Patient to Safety
Rescue 3 responded to aid in the rescue of a severely injured motorcycle rider who crashed in the backcountry recreational area north of Horse Heaven Airfield. Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue personnel, and a Life Flight Medic were able to traverse the rugged terrain to provide aid but could not evacuate the patient without the assistance of Rescue 3.
On June 1, 2024, at approximately 11:15 am, the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit (SRASU) received a request for assistance with evacuating a severely injured patient from a remote location in the Coeur d’Alene National Forest.
The patient had reportedly crashed on a motorcycle and sustained significant injuries. Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Kootenai County Fire Rescue, and a Life Flight nurse reached the patient’s location and provided medical assistance, but due to the rugged and steep terrain and the severity of the patient’s injuries, Rescue 3 was needed to hoist him off the mountain safely.
Rescue 3 arrived, and Crew Chief Arnold lowered Helicopter Rescue Medic Schuster, Helicopter Rescue Medic Cornelius, and their equipment via hoist to the patient’s location as Rescue 3 Pilot Valenti and Pilot Scanlon prepared for a hoist retrieval.
Once the patient was safely retrieved and secured onboard Rescue 3, he was transported to the Horse Haven Airfield, transferred to an awaiting Life Flight Medical Helicopter, and flown to the hospital for additional medical care.
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Spokane Regional Air Support Unit Rescue 3 Flight Crew
Pilot: Dave Valenti
Pilot: Jack Scanlon
Crew Chief: Cpl. Derek Arnold, Liberty Lake Police Department
Helicopter Rescue Medic: Firefighter/Paramedic Sam Schuster, Spokane Valley Fire Department
Helicopter Rescue Medic: Captain Chris Cornelius, Spokane Valley Fire Department
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