Home Amherst County: Med-Flight 1 takes part in hoist rescue for injured hiker
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Amherst County: Med-Flight 1 takes part in hoist rescue for injured hiker

Crystal Graham
110925 medflight rescue app trail
Image courtesy Virginia State Police

An injured hiker was rescued by a helicopter crew from a remote location along the Appalachian Trail in Amherst County on Sunday.

Med Flight-1 was called to assist rescuers near Pedlar and arrived at the scene approximately 77 minutes after the request was made.

After assessing the situation, the crew chose to utilize a hoist rescue.

Crews from the Virginia Department of Forestry helped clear a 40-by-60-foot opening in the tree canopy, and Amherst EMS personnel on the ground assisted in bringing the injured hiker to the hoist location.

Rescue Technician Anja Hamilton was lowered onto the ground.  Hamilton secured the patient, who was flown to Lynchburg General Hospital.

This is Med Flight-1’s fifth hoist rescue in 2025. The other four included rescues in Madison County (two), Amherst County and Rockbridge County.

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

The extent of the hiker’s injuries are unknown.


Video: Appalachian Trail hiker rescue


 

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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is a reporter and ad manager for Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she 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]