Man, Woman Critically Injured In Fall
At Patapsco Valley State Park

Catonsville, Md. (June 23, 2008, 9:45 p.m.) -- A man and a woman suffered extremely critical injuries this evening when they fell 50 feet from a large rock outcropping at Patapsco Valley State Park.

A "go" team of doctors from the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center was flown to the accident scene -- an unusual step that is taken when patients suffer serious, potentially life-threatening injuries demanding immediate attention. The doctors and Fire Department medical crews remain on the scene at this time.

The accident occurred at about 8 p.m. in a remote area of the park overlooking the Patapsco River. The couple was sitting on the rock outcropping, looking over the Patapsco River, when the woman stood up and slipped. Her companion grabbed on to her, and they both fell 50 feet to the ground. After being treated at the scene by medic crews and the doctors from Shock Trauma, both victims were flown to the Shock Trauma center in critical condition.

Responding units include crews from the Catonsville, Westview and Halethorpe stations, as well as from the Texas station's Urban Search and Rescue vehicle. The Arbutus Volunteer Fire Co. also responded, as well as units from Howard County. Crews used a rope system to assist with the evacuation of the patients.