ABC's 20/20 Profiles Maryland Helicopter Crash Survivor
The crash in September claimed the pilot, a flight medic, a volunteer EMT and the friend of the survivor.
Update: 20/20 news and video now available.
Feb. 27, 2009 - The lone survivor of the Maryland State Police helicopter crash will tell her story Friday night on ABC's 20/20.
The crash in September claimed the pilot, a flight medic, a volunteer EMT, and the friend of the survivor.
Jordan Wells, 18, who will be featured on the national news program, recalls the events of that foggy night.
Maryland EMS crews who responded to Wells' vehicle crash also will be sharing their stories on the show.
The chopper went down in Maryland near Andrew's Air Force Base while attempting to return to its hangar. Inclement weather has been cited as a factor by the NTSB.
Crews searching for the helicopter after it dropped off radar heard Wells calling for help amid the wreckage.
Wells was released from R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore in November as national HEMS experts were beginning their review of the Maryland State Police aviation division.
In its report released this week, the panel lauded the program saying it has long been recognized as a model.
"Survival outcome for trauma patients in the State of Maryland as compared with the national norms, suggest that the trauma system performance meets and likely exceeds the national average."
They said any changes to the program should not compromise that level of care.
The panel recommended that Maryland consider making modifications to enhance safety. While they have experiences three fatal crashes over the past four decades, the safety record was considered "exemplary" when compared to trends in HEMS throughout the country.
They also suggested officials continue to their evaluation of the recent modifications to the triage process. Several months prior to the deadly crash, Maryland had changed its helicopter transport protocols.
They also suggest that Maryland adopt FAA's Air Ambulance Operations Specifications.
The panel also reviewed other helicopter operations across the country.
Related Links:
Previous Links:
- Panel Reviews Maryland Medevac Program
- Maryland Medevac Pilot Fired Amid Probe
- Maryland Medevac Pilot Was Told Crew Didn't Want to Drive
- Communications Released in Maryland Medevac Crash
- New Maryland Medevac Policy Debated
- Maryland to Revise Medevac Guidelines
- Maryland Responders Remember Flight Medic Killed in Crash
- Md. Medevac Crash Renews Calls for Tighter Safety Standards
- Notification Delayed in Maryland Medevac Crash
- Maryland Medevac Pilot Radioed for Help
- Work Continues at Md. Medevac Crash Site
- STATter 911: MD chopper crash survivor called out to rescuers
- STATter 911: MD grounds chopper fleet after crash kills 4
- Four Killed in Maryland Medevac Crash
- First Report:Medevac Chopper Crash Kills 4 in Md.
- Maryland State Police Aviation Command
- Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department
- National EMS Memorial Service
- National EMS Memorial Bike Ride
