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| U.S. Park Police Officer Abate prepares the hoist basket for rescue |
On May 25, 2014, shortly after 3:00 p.m., the United States Park Police Aviation Unit received a hoist rescue request from Montgomery County Fire for two persons stuck in the rapids near Little Falls dam. The first victim was a female who ended up on the rocks and got stuck; the second victim was a Good Samaritan who attempted to assist the distressed female and also got stuck on the rocks.
Attempts were made by the Fire Department boats; however, their efforts were hampered as they could not navigate the rocks due to unstable and dangerous conditions. The victims were getting exhausted, increasing the potential for them to be swept away. USPP Pilot Sergeant Chittick and Rescue Technician Officer Abate conducted a hoist rescue on the stranded individuals and safely dropped them off on land to an awaiting U.S. Park Police patrol unit, Officer Al-Saigh. No injuries were sustained by the victims during this incident.
Further investigation determined that the male Good Samaritan was identified as a White House intern who did not know the female swimmer, yet he risked his own life to attempt to rescue another. His chivalry did not end there, as once USPP Eagle One was overhead, he assisted the female victim in getting in the rescue basket, to let her get rescued first.
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| Good Samaritan assits female into hoist basket and watches as she's lifted to safety |
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