Two State police aviators who helped with a dramatic High Peaks rescue in December of 2016 have been named the recipients of the state's first-ever Life Saving Award, designed to recognize law enforcement officers who go above and beyond in helping to save a human life.
Lt. Peter McLain and Sgt. Brian Rumrill were at the controls of their helicopter in heavy snow and high winds when they lifted hikers Blake Alois and Maddie Popolizio of Niskayuna off Algonquin Mountain in the Adirondacks.
The two hikers had spent two nights in bitterly cold temperatures 265 feet below the summit.
The video below shows their heroics in action.