---

Training, preparation, special equipment and teamwork all came together seamlessly, in the successful rescue July 19 of a 74-year-old male who was injured when he fell off a bluff while walking his property just south of the Osceola Bridge, on the  Minnesota side of the St. Croix River.  

Chisago County Sheriff’s Captain Derek Anklan explained there is no indication of anything suspicious about this accident.

 The retrieval of the injured party involved specialized skills provided by Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls, Shafer-Franconia Fire responders, the Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART), Lakes Region EMS and  Chisago County.

Rigging and support apparatus were assembled atop the bluff, which was heavily vegetated and nearly vertical at the site where the man was hurt.  He was hoisted to where the State Patrol-St. Paul Police MART helicopter could reach him and brought to a clear area for the LifeLink III air transport to a trauma center. 

---