A pair of mountain bikers had to be rescued and airlifted to area hospitals after finding themselves in perilous positions during separate incidents Howard County and West Virginia that required state police intervention.
On Saturday, July 29, crews were called into action to come to the rescue of a 44-year-old man in Ellicott City in Maryland, and a 41-year-old man in Davis, West Virginia who were injured while mountain biking in tricky terrain.
Police say that the 44-year-old became incapacitated after his bike struck a rock on a trail near the Valley Overlook in Patapsco Valley State Park Daniels area, though after his riding partner called 911, Maryland Natural Resources Police helicopters could not initially locate them.
Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue personnel managed to hike to the injured biker and treated him until a Maryland State Police helicopter could come to his aid.
A trooper was dropped approximately 180 feet into the area and was able to airlift him after a short hike approximately a quarter mile away to the nearest clearing.
He was taken to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore City for treatment of his injuries.
Later, troopers were called to West Virginia after a biker suffered serious injuries during a mishap. He was found lying in a field approximately two hours before Tucker County rescuers located him.
Pilots again hovered above the scene, approximately 60 feet above marshy terrain, and a trooper was able to again secure the injured man and hoist him back into the helicopter.
He was then flown to J.W. Ruby memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia for treatment of undisclosed injuries.
Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Waldorf and receive free news updates.