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Katalin Metro and her husband, George, were hiking on Piestewa Peak on an early summer day. The summit is Pheonix’s second-tallest mountain, and hikers use a 2.3-mile our-and-back trail to take in its expansive views. Unfortunately, though, the 74-year-old tripped and fell on the rocky path. She suffered injuries to her face and head. Phoenix Fire Department paramedics decided an airlift was in order, even though Metro claimed she protested the evacuation method. A Local TV camera was live on the scene, too, and captured a horrifying phenomenon.
Airlift rescue goes wrong, City of Phoenix denies wrongdoing or liability
After paramedics secured Metro in a red rescue basket, the helicopter lifted her off the ground. The basket, which had a tag line attached to help prevent spinning, began to turn. It didn’t just lackadaisically twist, either; the basket picked up speed, hurtling the poor patient in dozens of high-speed loops. Estimates range from 150 to more than 250 clipping rotations.
Metro didn’t know what was happening. Eventually, the helicopter pilot moved down the trail, seemingly to abandon efforts to get the basket to stop turning and head to the destination. The spinning continued.
“I didn’t know if she was dead or alive,” her husband told 12 News. Metro suffered additional facial swelling, broken blood vessels, dizziness, and nausea from the botched airlift. The dizziness and nausea plagued her for years after.
In a statement, the city said it denied any wrongdoing or liability.
Airlift rescues save lives, but they carry risks
According to the Air Medical Journal, from 2016 to 2021, 17% of accidents that occurred during Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA) rescues were fatal. Wind conditions, mechanical failures, and human error contribute to these incidents.
More than two years later, Phoenix City Council settled for $450K
In late 2021, two and a half years after the airlift, the Phoenix City Council settled her claim citing physical, emotional, and psychological injuries. While she and George filed for $2 million, the officials granted the couple $450,000 before the case went to a jury.