Police Pilot Landed Helicopter to Aid Citizen

Officers with the Gwinnett County Police Department Aviation Unit landed a helicopter in a Suwanee warehouse parking lot in an attempt to help an unresponsive 33-year-old male, according to a press release issued Friday.

The aircrew was conducting a routine patrol flight on April 19 when dispatch advised of a medical emergency in the area of Shawnee Industrial Avenue near Satellite Boulevard in unincorporated Suwanee. According to a Gwinnett County Police Department press release, the male victim was in a locked car that had rolled into a grassy field. Two citizens had attempted to open the car doors, but were unsuccessful.

After failing to see any responding units in the immediate area, the aircrew decided to land and render assistance. One of the crew members ran to the victim’s car. A window was broken to gain access to the patient. With the assistance of another officer, the pilot removed the victim from the vehicle and began to perform CPR.

The officers worked to revive the victim until Gwinnett County Fire EMS personnel arrived.

The victim was transported to the hospital, but later died.