Date: May 2, 2007

Contact: Lt j.g. Jeremy Loeb
(231) 922-8273

AIR STATION TRAVERSE CITY AIRCREW RESCUES LOST MAN

HESSEL, Mich. - An aircrew from Air Station Traverse City found a 70-year-old man lost since yesterday and hoisted him to safety this afternoon.

The 70-year-old man was driving near Hessel, Mich., yesterday afternoon when his pick-up truck became stuck in the mud. Unable to free it from the mud,  he attempted to walk to get assistance but collapsed a short distance away in the wooded terrain.

The aircrew launched in a HH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter at 11:15 A.M. and picked up a Mackinaw County Sheriff's Deputy to assist with the search. At 14:42 P.M., the Flight Mechanic spotted the man laying on the ground and waving a stick. The crew lowered the Rescue Swimmer to assess his conditon, and then hoisted him into the helicopter using the rescue basket. He was taken to Sanderson Airport, Sault St. Marie, Mich., and transferred to an awaiting ambulance.

*Hoist camera footage is available upon request.*

For more information on this event, please contact the Public Affairs Officer at Air Station Traverse City, Lt j.g. Jeremy Loeb or Lt j.g. John Kirk. During non-business hours, please contact the duty desk at (231) 922.8212.