State Police Helicopter Rescues 3 Jet Skiers Stuck in Mud

Talbot County, MD - Three young women got a scary reminder that mud and heat don't mix on Friday, when they became stranded while jet-skiing on Skipton Creek in Talbot County. All three made it out safely thanks to a Maryland State Police helicopter crew.

The women, all 18 years old, got stuck in deep mud and shallow water while riding their jet skis on the creek. Rescue boats couldn't reach them because the water was less than 12 inches deep over soft, sinking mud. That left crews with only one real option: air rescue.

Maryland State Police Aviation Command's Trooper 6, based out of Easton, Maryland, answered the call. Before heading out, the aircrew got in touch with the stranded riders by cell phone to walk them through what would happen and how to safely climb into the rescue basket.

Trooper 6 completed two hoist operations and pulled all three women to safety. None of them were hurt. They were handed off to local fire department personnel once they were back on solid ground.

The rescue happened during a brutal stretch of weather, with temperatures hitting 99°F and a heat index near 115°F. That kind of heat can turn a stressful situation dangerous fast, making the quick response even more important.

Trooper 6 is part of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command's Easton Section, one of seven bases the agency operates across the state. MSPAC has been serving Maryland since 1970 and flies a fleet of 10 AW139 helicopters, providing round-the-clock coverage for residents and visitors alike.

The unit handles a wide range of missions, including medevac flights, search and rescue, law enforcement support, homeland security response, and disaster assessment. State Police note that successful rescues like this one depend on teamwork with local fire, EMS, and rescue agencies.

Video of the rescue is available on the Easton Volunteer Fire Department's Facebook page.