ROWLESBURG, W.Va. — The Maryland State Police Trooper 5 medevac helicopter crew based in Cumberland rescued two kayakers that were stranded in the Cheat River late Sunday morning.

It was 9:50 a.m. when the Rowelsburg Volunteer Fire Department requested the assistance of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to perform a rescue of two people stranded on an island in the Cheat River near Seven Islands. 

The two kayakers, — a father and son from Pittsburgh — had kayaked to the nearby island to fish, but became trapped when the water suddenly rose 3 feet over the course of 20 minutes and washed their kayaks downstream.

A local swift water rescue team was unable to reach the victims due to speed of the water and large amount of heavy debris, officials said.

The crew of Trooper 5, consisting of two pilots and two troopers, utilized the rescue basket to hoist the victims to the aircraft. The helicopter landed near the river where the victims were assessed, found not to be injured, and transferred to the care of first responders.

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has served Maryland citizens since 1970, and operates a fleet of 10 helicopters from seven bases throughout Maryland.