A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter was deployed Friday morning to rescue a person experiencing a medical emergency during a river trip in a remote area of southeastern Brewster County, according to the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office.
The rescue followed an emergency satellite text message received Thursday evening from a group of eight people traveling along a river in the extreme southeastern portion of the county.
The group requested assistance but was stranded in an area inaccessible by road. Poor weather conditions prevented aircraft from reaching them Thursday night.
Authorities communicated with the group through satellite text messaging and learned that all eight individuals had safely established a campsite where they could wait out the storm.
Early Friday morning, Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson received updated information indicating that one member of the group was experiencing medical distress.
Dodson and Brewster County Dispatch coordinated a rescue operation involving a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, a rescue team and paramedics. U.S. Border Patrol personnel also played a key role in facilitating the operation, according to the sheriff’s office.
The individual was transported by helicopter to Alpine for medical evaluation.
The remaining seven members of the group elected to continue their trip down the river.
The sheriff’s office did not disclose the individual’s identity, the nature of the medical emergency or the precise location of the rescue.
No additional injuries were reported in the sheriff’s office statement.
