LURAY, Va. — An injured hiker was rescued by helicopter in Shenandoah National Park on Wednesday.
According to a media release from Virginia State Police (VSP) Public Relations Coordinator Matthew Demlein, the incident occurred July 16, 2025.
Med-flight 1 was initially notified by the National Park Service of the need for service at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Old Rag Mountain, located in Madison County, is approximately 80 nautical miles from Med-Flight 1’s home base in Chesterfield. The hiker suffered a shoulder injury and could not make the hike back down the mountain.
The flight, staffed by VSP First Sergeant Jeffrey Weber, Chesterfield Flight Paramedic Chris Orr, and Chesterfield Firefighter Michael Burnett, rescued the injured hiker and flew them to waiting EMS crews at the base of the mountain.
Med-Flight 1 also rescued a hiker from Old Rag Mountain on March 31. This is the fourth hoist rescue this year.
Old Rag is a very popular, very strenuous Shenandoah National Park hike that features sweeping views and several scrambles across large rocks. The route starts at the Old Rag parking area on the park boundary, in Etlan, Virginia.
Med Flight-1 is a joint effort between Virginia State Police pilots and paramedics from the Chesterfield County Fire and EMS Department.
Luray, Virginia is home to Shenandoah National Park Headquarters.