Nurse dies after falling from medical copter hoist while rescuing woman
AUSTIN, Texas -- A nurse has died after falling from a hoist on a medical helicopter while rescuing a woman from a hiking trail in Austin, Texas.
STAR Flight said in a news release that 46-year-old Kristin McLain became detached from the hoist Monday night while retrieving a woman who had fallen in the Barton Creek Greenbelt. McLain died at the scene, CBS affiliate KEYE reports.
It was not clear how far she fell.
The rescued woman was taken to University Medical Center-Brackenridge with non-life-threatening injuries.
STAR Flight program director Casey Ping said Tuesday that McLain has been with the company for seven years.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Kristin's family and friends during this difficult time," STAR Flight said in a Facebook post. "She will be greatly missed."
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. Further details were not released.
STAR Flight provides aerial emergency medical services.