Jefferson County Inmate Airlifted From Justice Center

Prisoner prepared to be airlifted via LifeStar Air Ambulance, June 1, 2014
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

An inmate at the Jefferson County Jail was airlifted to the University Tennessee Hospital on Sunday afternoon. UT’s Lifestar landed in the parking lot of the Justice Center around 12:30 pm and was met by waiting First Responders. Jefferson County Sheriff G.W. “Bud” McCoig stated that an inmate had been airlifted to the hospital following a self inflicted injury. Sheriff McCoig said that the inmate was alone in his cell and had allegedly sustained injuries, which were initially thought to be serious, concerning a broken or displaced neck. The decision was made at the scene to call in air assistance, according to the Sheriff. Following medical examination at the University of Tennessee Hospital, the inmate was released. Sheriff McCoig stated that the inmate, whose name was not released, was transported back to the Jefferson County Jail via patrol car.

In a late afternoon interview, Sheriff McCoig said that the Sheriff’s Department had followed protocol in the issue and that it was unfortunate that the burden of expense could fall to the County. He further stated that he will likely call in the mobile crisis unit to assess the situation and that he would be investigating the factors leading to the decision to call for airlift services, in light of the hospital declining to admit the inmate.