A Difficult Day for Maine
LifeFlight of Maine statement in response to the horrifying tragedy in Lewiston
We are heartbroken by the tragedy that unfolded last night in Lewiston. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and friends, the Lewiston community, and the people of Maine.
Lewiston has been a home to LifeFlight since we began 25 years ago. We feel a deep connection to the community, to our colleagues and friends at Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC), and to our partners in law enforcement and EMS in Androscoggin County and beyond.
Our Lewiston-based crew was at CMMC as this horrifying tragedy occurred, and LifeFlight 2, our Lewiston-based helicopter, was stationed on the CMMC helipad. We immediately dispatched our Bangor and Sanford-based helicopters to bring additional LifeFlight medical crew members to CMMC to assist in the care of patients. After dropping crew off, pilots repositioned those aircraft to the Auburn-Lewiston Airport to stand by if needed for transport. Our airplane flew from Bangor with additional medical crew and blood products from Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, which were given to the CMMC blood bank to use in the care of patients. We also requested further air medical support from our colleagues at Boston MedFlight, which placed two aircraft on standby on the CMMC helipad. UMass also made a helicopter medical team available.
Within a matter of minutes, a total of eight air medical assets were mobilized, and 15 clinicians responded to augment CMMC’s staffing — 11 from LifeFlight of Maine and four from Boston MedFlight.
We remain committed to providing the best possible care and the fastest possible transport when and where it is needed. Maine is a special place, and our hearts break for everyone in our community affected by this act of violence. The entire LifeFlight of Maine team stands with the community of Lewiston and with the people of Maine today and every day.
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Media Inquiries
For all press/media inquiries, please contact Henry Frank, Director of Communications, at hfrank@lifeflightmaine.org or 207-631-4307.
