LONDON, Ky. – An injured 18-year-old hiker was safely rescued Friday evening after a coordinated multi-agency response near Laurel River Dam, where difficult terrain and low water conditions required a nighttime helicopter hoist operation.
According to the Kentucky State Police, the rescue began Friday, July 31, after the Whitley County 911 Center received a call from an injured hiker stranded in a remote area near Laurel River Dam. Dispatchers obtained the caller’s location coordinates, allowing emergency crews to quickly locate the victim.
Officials said the hiker was with three friends when the group descended a trail leading to a waterfall that empties into a pool below. As they attempted to cross above the waterfall, the 18-year-old reportedly lost his footing and fell into the water.
The hiker came to rest on a submerged rock, suffering injuries to his knee and ankle that left him unable to climb out or reach safety on his own.
Corbin Fire Department crews established a high-angle rope rescue system while Woodbine Search and Rescue launched an inflatable rescue boat below the Laurel River Dam power plant. However, officials said extremely low water levels made the water rescue impossible.
At approximately 7:45 p.m., Kentucky Emergency Management requested assistance from the Kentucky State Police Aircraft Support Branch. Working alongside Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1, crews conducted a precision nighttime helicopter hoist, safely lifting the injured hiker from the remote location.
A Georgetown-Scott County EMS paramedic specially trained in helicopter-aquatic hoist rescue accompanied the flight crew and provided medical care during the operation.
Following the rescue, the patient was flown to Williamsburg-Whitley County Airport, where he was transferred to Whitley County EMS for transport to a local hospital. Officials credited the successful rescue to the coordinated efforts of multiple local, regional, and state public safety agencies.
