A smart pilot and crew!
Officials: Helicopter makes emergency landing - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports
COLLETON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) -
A medical helicopter made an emergency landing Saturday night in Walterboro after a patient on board began fighting with the crew.
According to Colleton County Fire and Rescue officials, a man sustained multiple traumatic injuries around 6:45 Saturday after he jumped from a moving vehicle on Interstate 95 South near mile marker 60.
Emergency personnel found the man semi-conscious lying on the shoulder of the highway. The man was immobilized, given IVs and rapidly transported to Colleton Medical Center. Once at the hospital, he was then transferred to a medical helicopter. The crew lifted off for the trauma center at MUSC.
About five minutes into the flight, fire and rescue officials say the patient became combative, broke the immobilization straps on the backboard and began fighting with the crew. The pilot turned around and made an emergency landing at the Lowcountry Regional Airport east of Walterboro.
Several Colleton County sheriff's deputies, and fire and rescue crew members rushed to the airport to assist the crew. The helicopter was able to safely land and emergency crews restrained the patient.
The man was then transported by ambulance to MUSC. En route to MUSC, the patient's condition deteriorated. He was later admitted to the intensive care unit at MUSC, according to Colleton County fire and rescue officials.
His condition is unknown at this time. The incident is still under investigation.