Rapid response played key role in motorcyclist's chances of survival

An Agusta 109, and some of its instrumentation panel,inset. (Courtesy photo)

©While the fate of a Rochester motorcycle rider who collided with an SUV on Monday remains uncertain, what is certain is that Lifeflight of Maine's timely pickup and Medflight from Skyhaven Airport to Maine Medical Center gave her the very best shot at surviving.

And thankfully, it appears that 46-year-old Donna Smith may do just that. She is listed in fair condition today, up two condition levels from yesterday's critical, a hospital spokesman said this morning.

According to Lifeflight of Maine Executive Director Thomas Judge, Lifeflight got the call to service on Monday at 12:47 p.m., and they were in the air in just six minutes.

Eight minutes later the Agusta 109 twin jet helicopter, which carries a crew of three and cruises at 165 mph, was landing at Skyhaven Airport in Rochester.

"The victim ended up getting to Maine Med about the time she would've been picked up with a helicopter coming out of Lewiston," Judge said on Tuesday.

Smith was injured when her motorcycle collided with an SUV on Milton Road near the Route 202 interchange around 12:30 p.m.

Until last month Lifeflight of Maine only operated two choppers, out of Lewiston and Augusta.

Now with the third, stationed at Sanford Regional Airport, it's a tremendous asset in the event of an emergency, said Rochester Fire Chief Norm Sanborn.

Having a base in Sanford 10 to 12 minutes away is great," he said. "If someone has serious injuries, that's when getting them to a hospital that can treat them is key. When they got to Skyhaven in about 10 minutes that was big."

Judge said when Lifeflight of Maine decided to add a third helicopter it was clear the Sanford airport would provide the most people with the quicker access.

"This was how we could help the EMS system the most," he said.

Sanborn said up until this time Rochester area residents requiring Medflights would have to rely on helicopters from Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Boston or Lewiston.

Currently Lifeflight of Maine is available for service from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. They hope to be 24/7 sometime in May.