by TODD BOWMAN

FLINTSTONE, Maryland – Two subjects collecting water samples from a stream near Rocky Gap State Park had to be rescued Friday afternoon, according to fire department officials.

“We estimated they were about 3/4 of a mile off Rocky Gap Road,” Baltimore Pike Volunteer Fire Department Chief Sam Wilson said. “The terrain made it difficult to access (the victims).”

Wilson continued, “the two female victims were stuck in an area with steep terrain and cliffs on both sides.”

Fire and EMS units from Baltimore Pike, Flintstone, Bowman’s Addition and Allegany County EMS were dispatched to the area of Gorge Road in Rocky Gap State Park just before 4 p.m.

As crews began working on extracting the victims, additional units were requested from Flintstone and Bedford Road volunteer fire departments and an ambulance from Cumberland Fire Department.

Maryland DNR Police were on the scene.

A Maryland State Police helicopter was used to aid ground units in locating the victims. Using their hoist system, a state police paramedic was lowered to the victims. One patient was hoisted back into the aircraft and transported to a landing zone nearby. The second patient was assisted out by crews to an awaiting ambulance.

Both subjects were transported to Western Maryland Regional Medical Center in Cumberland. Their condition is not known at this time.

Wilson couldn’t comment on the water temperature but said the air temperature was cool and windy at the incident.

“If you are going to be out in the woods, be careful of your surroundings, wear adequate clothing and be prepared for any conditions,” Wilson said.

Todd Bowman is a senior staff writer for Shock-Advised.com. Follow him on Twitter @_toddbowman for up-to-the-minute, breaking news and personal interest stories related to today’s public safety workers.

Photography by Cody Mohler, contributing photographer to Shock-Advised.com.