Cormorant from 8 Wing Trenton completes first life saving mission

[five_alarm]

CFB TRENTON, ON - A 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron CH-149 Cormorant helicopter successfully saved its first lives while completing a search and rescue mission in northern Quebec on the evening of July 23, 2004. At approximately 5:30 p.m. local time yesterday, the Cormorant was dispatched by the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre from CFB Trenton in response to an emergency satellite phone distress call from a downed Piper 200 pilot. The pilot and his son had crashed their aircraft in poor visibility onto a deeply wooded hilltop near Parent, Quebec, (between Dorval and Val D'or). A CC-130 Hercules from 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron was first on scene, but because of poor visibility and deteriorating weather conditions, was unable to dispatch Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) via parachute. The Cormorant, fighting the same poor visibility conditions, made it on scene by 9 p.m. local time to dispatch SAR Techs via helicopter hoisting operations. Both victims, who were suffering from serious wounds sustained on impact, were stabilized by the SAR Techs and were hoisted aboard the Cormorant and flown to Ottawa where they were met by ambulances. At this time, both victims are reported to be in good condition.

Source: Communtity Press Online (http://www.firehall.com/refer.php?url=http://www.communitypress-online.com/template.php?id=16010()RECORD_KEY(News)=id()id(New s)=16010&linkid=814&parent=news(headlines)&)