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Helicopter Rescue: Officer Saved After 20-Foot Fall
9 Apr
Summary
- DNR officer fell 20 feet while dismantling illegal deer stand.
- Minnesota Air Rescue Team lowered medic from helicopter.
- Officer is recovering and thanked all first responders involved.
A Department of Natural Resources officer sustained injuries after a fall of approximately 20 feet on March 30. The incident occurred in the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area near Plainview while she was dismantling an illegal deer hunting stand. Local first responders provided initial care, but due to concerns about potential internal injuries, they requested assistance from the Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART).
The MART, utilizing a helicopter equipped with advanced technology, lowered a medic, St. Paul Fire Captain Brian Buxton, approximately 130 feet to reach the injured officer. Video captured the medic reassuring the officer as he secured her into a specialized rescue bag. The team then winched both the medic and the officer back into the helicopter.
The rescued officer, who was transported to a waiting ambulance, has since issued a statement expressing profound thanks to the eleven agencies involved in the rescue and medical care. She highlighted the unexpected nature of the event and the overwhelming support from her community. Such rescue operations, involving sophisticated equipment and extensive training, occur around 30 times annually in the state.
