State Police Med-Flight crew praised for Appalachian Trail rescue

Three personnel members with the Virginia State Police are being hailed as heroes for their quick actions that saved the life of an elderly hiker on the Appalachian Trail.

A report from the agency said that the crew of Carl Harrison, Ben Farmer, and Earl Carter encountered unsafe, steep terrain near Tazewell County that would not allow a level landing for the Med-Flight helicopter. Farmer was able to pilot the craft and perform a skid-touching pickup while Harrison jumped out of the copter, retrieve the hiker, and safely load the patient who was treated for weather-related injuries.