Dated recent feature: This report covers the October 22, 2026 rescue described in a Maryland State Police release dated October 23, 2026.
A hunter who fell from a tree stand on Jackson Mountain in Allegany County was lowered to the ground by technical rescuers and then hoisted aboard a Maryland State Police helicopter for transport to a hospital, according to the agency.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command said county officials requested its help at 11:49 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The hunter was reported suspended above the ground after the fall.
Ground rescue came before the hoist
According to the release, the Trooper 5 crew responded with an Allegany County Advanced Technical Rescue specialist. Pilots positioned the AW139 helicopter over a clearing and lowered a trooper rescue technician and the county specialist to the scene. The crew also sent specialized rescue equipment down to first responders.
State police said approximately 25 minutes of advanced technical rescue brought the hunter down from the suspended position. Trooper 5 then hoisted the hunter and the trooper rescue technician. The hunter was flown to a local hospital in Cumberland for treatment of injuries.
Local departments supported the response
The release credits assistance from fire departments in Barton, Lonaconing, LaVale, Shaft, Westernport, Midland, Frostburg and Mount Savage, along with Allegany Department of Emergency Services personnel.
The account describes two distinct stages: technical rescuers lowered the hunter to the ground before the helicopter crew performed the hoist and hospital transport. It does not report a later recovery outcome.
Source: Maryland State Police's October 23, 2026 release. The response details above are attributed to that agency account.
