Home Madison County: Injured hiker rescued from Old Rag Mountain Wednesday
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Madison County: Injured hiker rescued from Old Rag Mountain Wednesday

hoist rescue old rag mountain madison county med flight 1
Med-Flight 1 hoist rescue, Old Rag Mountain, Shenandoah National Park (July 16, 2025). Photo courtesy National Park Service.

An injured hiker was rescued from Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park in Madison County on Wednesday.

The crew of Med-Flight 1 executed a successful hoist rescue after a hiker suffered a shoulder injury and could not make it back down the mountain.

Med-Flight 1 was initially notified by the National Park Service of the need for service at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Old Rag Mountain is approximately 80 nautical miles from Med-Flight 1’s home base in Chesterfield.

The flight on Wednesday was staffed by:

  • First Sgt. Jeffrey Weber, Virginia State Police
  • Chris Orr, Chesterfield flight paramedic
  • Michael Burnett, Chesterfield firefighter

The hiker was flown to a waiting EMS crew at the base of the mountain.

Med-Flight 1 previously rescued a hiker on Old Rag Mountain on March 31. This was the fourth hoist rescue this year with other rescues in Amherst and Rockbridge counties.

Med-Flight 1 crews were recognized today by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs for a hoist rescue last August along Saint Mary’s Falls trail in Augusta County.

Med Flight-1 is a joint effort between Virginia State Police pilots and paramedics from the Chesterfield County Fire and EMS departments.


 

 
 




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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]. Support AFP by signing up for our newsletter and/or powering our work with a one-time or monthly contribution.

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