WATCH: CCSO pilots rescue man by helicopter after ATV crash in the Everglades

Author: Collier County Sheriff's Office
Published: Updated:
Credit: Collier County Sheriff’s Office

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit rescued a man after an ATV crash in the Everglades Monday night.

Greater Naples Fire Rescue District requested a hoist after John Hogue, 67, fell off an ATV and was unconscious.

The crash happened about 8 miles south of mile marker 63 along Interstate 75.

CCSSO says, while flying to the scene, the Aviation Unit crew learned that the victim had regained consciousness but still needed medical attention.

Pilots flew to the scene using night vision goggles to find the victim and his friends.

CCSO Dispatch were able to give coordinates for their location based on GPS data sent with the 911 call, and those coordinates proved to be accurate within a few feet.

They say the helicopter had to hover at 120 feet to avoid large trees in the area, which was too dense for landing.

The Collier County Chopper lowered two rescue specialists with North Collier Fire Rescue District to evaluate the victim.

“Now we go in and we can pull them out with the aircraft and get them to help much faster,” said Joshua White, in the CCSO aviation unit. “That’s what really changed it for us.”

“This is really what Collier County’s taxpayers are paying for,” DeRienzo said. “That we can rescue our people in our Everglades without other agencies coming in.”

The call was then made to hoist the victim out due to the remoteness of the area. The area could only be accessed by ATVs and given the darkness, that method would have added hours to the rescue effort.

The victim was hoisted alongside a rescue specialist into the helicopter.

The Aviation Unit then transported the victim to fire and EMS units that were waiting at the the interstate.

We’re working to get the current condition of the man.

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