Man rescued after diving injury in Audra State Park | News, Sports, Jobs

Photo courtesy of Belington Volunteer Fire Department. Rescue crews conducted a water rescue at Audra State Park Saturday afternoon after a man was injured jumping off a rock.

AUDRA – A man was flown by rescue helicopter to Morgantown for treatment after a team of first responders conducted a water rescue at Audra State Park Saturday afternoon.

The man, whose name has not been published, is said to “jumped from a rock, hit his head on the riverbed, causing a head injury, and was found on a rock in the middle of the river,” according to a press release from the Belington Volunteer Fire Department.

BVFD volunteers, along with members of the Philippi Volunteer Department, Junior Volunteer Fire Department and Barbour County Rescue Department were dispatched to the state park at approximately 2:50 p.m.

The volunteer fire departments of Coalton, Elkins and Beverly also provided assistance in the situation.

Respondents “I hiked about half a mile down the lower cave trail to reach the victim with the necessary equipment for rescue,” The statement said: “Members set up a pulley system and used a ladder to transport equipment back and forth to safely reach the patient.”

“On-scene paramedics determined the patient required evacuation by rescue helicopter, and Trooper 5 of the Maryland State Police Flight Unit was requested due to their lifting capabilities,” so the statement. “The patient was cradled, placed on advanced life support, lifted into the helicopter and flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital for further treatment.”

The BVFD statement also thanked Barbour County 911, West Virginia State Police, Barbour County Sheriff’s Department and Audra Park Ranger for their assistance in the rescue.