Hiker with Head Injury Rescued from Shenandoah National Park
MADISON, Va. — A hiker was airlifted from Old Rag Mountain after suffering a head injury on Sunday.
Med-Flight-1 responded to the incident around 12:15 p.m. on April 19, 2026.
The aircraft, based at Chesterfield County Airport, received the initial call at approximately 11:10 a.m. and prepared for the roughly 80-nautical-mile flight to the rescue site.
An initial hoist attempt was unsuccessful due to wind conditions.
A second attempt, conducted from a different direction and altitude, allowed crews to reach the hiker.
A flight paramedic with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS Department was lowered to the ground, secured the patient, and assisted with the hoist into the helicopter.
The hiker was then flown to UVA Medical Center for treatment.
Med-Flight-1 is a joint operation between pilots with Virginia State Police and paramedics from Chesterfield County Fire and EMS.