State Police Rescue Lowell Man From Merrimack River: Video

LOWELL, MA -- A 24-year-old Lowell man was rescued from the Merrimack River at about 7:30 pm Wednesday night by the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing unit. The helicopter was called in after earlier efforts by the Lowell Police and Fire Department to rescue the man by boat were unsuccessful because of dangerous ice flows.

Lowell Police had been looking for the man, who had been reported missing by his family. The victim was transported by the helicopter to Lowell General Hospital. He received emergency care and is expected to survive.

Firefighters found the "emotionally distraught" man on rocks in waist-deep freezing water, State Police said. When troopers arrived, the water was neck-high and the victim appeared to be "likely hypothermic."

The troopers flew to LeLacheur Park so Tactical Flight Officer Russ Phippen could switch to a rear seat. The helicopter, Air 4, flew back to the man and performed a daring rescue in which Trooper John Hazelrigg angled the chopper in such a position where its skids were on the water. A strapped-in Phippen hung outside the chopper and grabbed the victim, who had become immobile.

The chopper flew to the hospital with its door frozen open the whole way.

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State Police photo of Air 4 on the Lowell General landing pad. Sgt. Brandon Arekalian and Troopers Hazelrigg and Phippen are checking the aircraft for damage after the victim was transported.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).