MD. State Police Helicopter Transports Va. Accident Victim

Photo- Easternshorefire.com

A motorist was injured in an accident near Greenbush early Wednesday morning.

Unofficial reports are that the victim of the accident had other injuries not related to the accident.

The patient was transported by the Maryland State Police helicopter.

Source; shoredailynews.com

Laser Light Hits Helicopter- Man Charged

Ocean City had this problem all summer and discussed it. Will there have to be a pilot blinded and crash before these laser pointers are taken off the market? Why are they still being sold?

SYKESVILLE, Md. -- A Carroll County man was arrested late Tuesday night after police say he endangered an in-flight Maryland State Police helicopter crew by repeatedly spotlighting the aircraft with a laser.

David H. Hopwood, 35, of the 7000 block of Bristol Place, Sykesville, Md., is charged with reckless endangerment, attempted second degree assault on a law enforcement officer, and prohibited use of a laser pointer.

At about 10 p.m. yesterday, State Police Pilot Marcus Alborghini and flight paramedic Trooper First Class Gregg Lantz, were flying in Trooper 3, a State Police helicopter based in Frederick. The crew was returning from a medevac flight to Baltimore.

According to police, the helicopter was flying over the Sykesville area when it was struck by a green laser flash. Knowing the potential dangers for a flight crew, the pilot and flight paramedic took immediate precautions as they worked to locate the source of the laser. The crew contacted the Westminster Barrack and troopers responded to the area, as did an officer from the Sykesville Police Department.

While in the area, the helicopter was struck at least four more times by the laser. The crew of Trooper 3 located the residence the laser was being emitted from and used the helicopter spotlight to light the area. Trooper 3 landed near Obrecht Road and TFC Lantz was transported to the residence that had been identified.

Troopers contacted Hopwood at the residence. He was arrested without further incident.

Police say shining lasers at aircraft can have dangerous and even deadly consequences. A direct laser strike in the cockpit can cause temporary blindness and disorientation for the flight crew.

When the strike occurred last night, TFC Lantz was wearing night vision goggles, which significantly increase any light source and, when struck by a laser, can blind the person wearing the goggles, as well as seriously damage the night vision equipment.

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