First responders rescue injured hiker near Laurel River Dam

LONDON, Ky. – A multi-agency response successfully rescued an injured 18-year-old hiker Friday evening near Laurel River Dam, authorities say.

The Kentucky State Police says on July 31, assistance was requested for a stranded hiker who had been injured. Dispatchers obtained the caller’s latitude and longitude, officials say, allowing emergency responders to find the caller and respond in a remote area.

Upon arrival, authorities say they located teens who had been hiking with the injured hiker. Authorities say the group explained three friends had hiked down to a waterfall that empties into a small pool below.

Troopers say as the group tried to cross the waterfall, one hiker lost his footing, falling over the falls into the water below and onto a submerged rock.

Authorities say the hiker sustained injuries to his knee and ankle, leaving him unable to free himself or climb to safety.

The Corbin Fire Department deployed its high-angle rope rescue team to reach the victim, while the Woodbine Search and Rescue Squad launched an inflatable boat below the Laurel River Dam power plant to reach the patient, troopers say.

However, authorities say low water conditions made the route impassable, causing them to stop.

At about 7:45 p.m., troopers say Kentucky Emergency Management requested assistance from the KSP Aircraft Support Branch.

As a result, authorities say a nighttime helicopter rescue occurred alongside the Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue Task Force to safely remove the hiker from a remote location.

Troopers say a paramedic from Georgetown-Scott County EMS, who is qualified as a helicopter-aquatic hoist rescue specialist through KY TF-1, was with the flight crew to provide advanced medical care during the operation.

Following a successful rescue, the injured hiker was flown directly to Williamsburg-Whitley County Airport, where he was transferred to Whitley County EMS for evaluation and transport to a local hospital.

The rescue was possible thanks to efforts from numerous local, regional, and state public safety agencies, including Kentucky Emergency Management, Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1, Laurel-Whitley Emergency Management, Georgetown-Scott County EMS, Woodbine Search and Rescue Squad, Corbin Fire Department, Whitley County EMS, Williamsburg Police Department and the U.S. Forest Service.