Rad girl - I agree with your post BUT you need someone on scene who can administer and manage an anaesthetised patient. If you do not have this your best option is clear WX and a helicopter to the nearest site that has.
According to some news reports they had some specialist on board, because they landed on the way to the hospital to intubate MS, obviously his condition deteriorated rapidly after the fast pickup, which is not unnormal after such head injuries.
skadi