MANCHESTER — At approximately 8:33 a.m., the Manchester Communication Center received an E911 call reporting an airplane crash near the summit of Mt. Equinox in Manchester.
The report indicated that three individuals involved in the crash sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Manchester Police, Fire, and Northshire EMS were dispatched to West Union Street at the base of the mountain.
Manchester Fire initiated a first alarm, prompting additional fire units to respond from Arlington, Dorset, East Dorset, Winhall, and Pawlet Fire Departments.
Authorities requested assistance from the New York State Police Aviation Unit and New York State Rangers to deploy a helicopter equipped with a winch.
A medevac helicopter from Dartmouth-Hitchcock was also requested.
Winhall Police Department and the Bennington County Sheriff’s Department each provided a dispatcher to assist at the Manchester Communication Center.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife and Vermont State Police also responded.
Rescue crews faced severe conditions, navigating through snow up to four feet deep near the top of the mountain.
Some crews attempted access via Skyline Drive, which is unmaintained in winter, while others approached from West Union Street.
At approximately 10:16 a.m., rescuers located the crash site.
New York State Police Aviation identified the scene and deployed rangers to assess the individuals.
Using their winch system, the aviation unit successfully lifted all three individuals from the hillside and transported them to the Manchester Public Safety Facility.
One patient was subsequently airlifted to Albany Medical Center for further evaluation.
