14 DAY TRIAL // A police officer died during a helicopter rescue mission, as he was trying to save a hiker stuck on a rock ledge. The incident took place on Mount Charleston, in the Las Vegas Area.
David Vanbuskirk responded to a call about the stranded hiker on Monday. He was part of the Search and Rescue team in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
"Normally an officer loses his life or her life in pursuit of a criminal suspect, but this officer was doing what he’s done dozens of times in his career — he was helping to rescue someone," Sheriff Doug Gillespie said in a press statement relayed by 8 News Now.
Officers received a distress call from the hiker, who has been described as "disoriented" before 9 p.m. Emergency teams headed out to Mary Jane Falls where they tried to retrieve him. He was stranded on a ledge which was not accessible by foot.
Vanbuskirk became loose as he descended to pick up the hiker. The latter was brought to the chopper safely, but the officer plummeted to his death.
"There are risks associated with (helicopter rescues) just like in many aspects of our profession. [...] Today one of those risks rose its ugly head, and I lost one of my officers.
"Thank you for all of your support and condolences. It is an understatement to say that he will be greatly missed," Gillespie adds.
Further investigations in the accident are in place, with The National Transportation Safety Board, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Metro Police joining in the inquiry.
The officer had been with the force since October 1999 and he had been a part of the rescue team since February 2007.
"Our team is devastated by the loss of Dave, a well-respected member of our team — a leader and a friend," a Metro Search and Rescue spokesperson wrote on Facebook, attaching a photo of a badge adorned with a black ribbon.