Drone helps CSFD locate injured mountain biker at Blodgett Open Space

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) confirms that a drone helped them locate a mountain biker who had crashed at Blodgett Open Space.

The mountain biker was approximately one to one-and-a-half miles up a trail when he crashed, suffering a potential leg fracture and was unable to move, according to the fire department. CSFD credits the drone technology with significantly reducing the time it took to reach the patient, especially in challenging terrain.

Drew Cahill, a special operations lieutenant with the CSFD, is one of three full-time drone operators who work 24/7, available to respond to various calls.

KRDO13 spoke with Cahill, who says that upon arrival, he flew the drone along the trail, using the mountain biker's rough location to pinpoint his position.

Cahill says he hovered the drone a few hundred feet above the injured individual, allowing the high-angle rescue crews on the ground to easily spot the biker's location.

"We're able to kind of fly that area, fly a grid pattern, do a search for them, and locate them versus, you know, when you're on the ground just trying to find that person. It's literally a needle in a haystack," Cahill said.

CSFD says the injured mountain biker called 911 and described what trail he was on at the time of the crash to first responders.

This information, combined with the drone's ability to confirm his exact location, allowed CSFD to direct a utility truck to within a quarter to a half mile of the patient, said Cahill. This strategy eliminated the need for ground crews to hike the entire trail, further saving crucial time in the rescue effort.

The biker was then transported to the utility truck by fire crews, confirmed CSFD.

"Now he's already on his way to the hospital and getting that care that he needs, even sooner. So, this was a minor injury today, fortunately. And it looks like he'll be okay. But, when it really matters is when we do have those more major injuries. If somebody has a major bleeding situation or, you know, an injury that requires that team at the hospital to get to them, that, you know, is where minutes really count," explained Lt. Cahill.

Cahill noted that bike accidents are a common occurrence in the area, particularly with the development of new trails near the old quarry.

"There's a bunch of trails coming in, so it will become more and more common... because of that, you know, it's one of our common areas where we do...have people, whether it's slips and falls." Lt. Cahill continued, "But it's helpful all over the place...When those things happen, we're just glad we can be there and not only help them, but now, with the technology, we have helped them even more quickly."

Officials confirm that the injured mountain biker is currently recovering and is expected to be okay. CSFD says it will continue to deploy its drone technology for rapid response in high-angle rescues and other emergencies.

Drones also feature a payload system capable of delivering emergency supplies such as radios, water, minor first aid items, and emergency blankets to patients, Cahill shared.

The CSFD drones are equipped with cameras that have significant zoom capabilities and thermal cameras. These thermal cameras assist in locating both people and small fires, aiming to find fires before they grow.

"Also great not only for lost hikers, but we've had really good luck with lightning strikes and small fires where you might be able to see it from across town, where that plume of smoke is. But once you get into the trees and everything, you're unable to see that. So, not only do we have the cameras and a pretty significant zoom capability, but we also have thermal cameras on there, so we're able to use that thermal imaging as well to find not only people, but fires," stated the drone operator.

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