Combative Stabbing Patient Prompts Emergency Landing In McClain County

McClain County deputies responded to an emergency landing Thursday morning after a patient being airlifted became combative mid-flight, the sheriff said.

Sheriff Landy Offolter said three of his deputies went to the parking lot of a gas station at the intersection of State Highway 39 and State Highway 76, west of Dibble. That was where a Survival Flight helicopter made the emergency landing at about 5:31 a.m. 

Offolter said a stabbing victim was being airlifted from Duncan to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City when he became aggressive.

"I was told that he woke up and just started kicking his feet and kicking things in the helicopter," said Offolter. "I feel like (the pilot) probably made the right call."

Once the Survival Flight helicopter landed at the gas station, crews moved the stabbing victim to an ambulance, which resumed the journey to Oklahoma City.

"I think we were just there to make sure he didn't cause any more problems," Offolter said. "He may have still been somewhat combative but there was really no incident. We got him successfully transferred over."

News 9 called Survival Flight for comment but had not heard back as of Thursday evening. News 9 also left a message for the Duncan Police Department to inquire about the circumstances of the stabbing.

In the meantime, Offolter was just glad there was a resolution to such an unusual situation.

"I have never heard of one (like this emergency landing). And I've been around quite a while," said Offolter. "Deputies - you're always prepared for the unexpected."