| Just prior to noon on Sunday, April 1st, the volunteers at Jarrettsville were alerted for a rescue assignment at the King and Queen Seat in Rocks State Park. Also on the alert was Company 3 for the tower, Company 6 for their ropes team and gator, Station 12 Aberdeen for their technical ropes team, and Harford County Technical Rescue Team members.
The King and Queen seat is a 190 foot rock formation popular with hikers and climbers. The top and bottom of the rock formation is accessible on foot (or gator) on DNR trails.
Deputy Chief Simpson arrived at the base and established command, while Assistant Chief Walter arrived at the top and assessed the situation. Two 17 year old climbers were in distress. One had fallen approximately 60 feet to the ground. The other was perched on a rock ledge 60 feet up and about 20 feet from the top "window" location used by rapellers.
Amazingly, the victim who had fallen was still alive. Using the Stokes basket from T331 and crews stationed on Rocks Rd., the patient was removed through the woods to the awaiting medic unit. This also necessitated a low-angle rope system.
The patient was then taken to the nearby Wilson Grove Picnic Area where Engine 712 had set up a landing site for Trooper 6.
While the climber on the ledge was uninjured, he was only wearing jeans and a T-shirt and was suffering from exposure. Company 7, Company 6 and TRT members decided that the climber would be brought to the top.
A 4:1 rope system, safety lines, and spotter lines were quickly deployed and a TRT member was lowered down to the climber. Once on the ledge, a rescue harness and helmet was placed on the climber and preparations to raise them were readied.
Working together, the rescuer and climber were raised to the top and pulled over the edge to safety. The climber was then handed off to the waiting medical crew and DNR officer.
This was the second successful rescue at the King and Queen Seat this year, and it is only April. Anyone interested in visiting the park is encouraged to follow the recommendations on the Department of Natural Resources Website:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/rocks.html |
