A victim retrieval apparatus for use with a vehicle. In some embodiments, the rescue basket comprises one or more wheels. The articulating head of the boom comprises a rotatable pulley for receiving the rescue line and is able to allow the vehicle to be parked in any position necessary while rescuing the victim. A knot-passing pulley enables a safety line (with emergency brake device) to be coupled to the basket thereby ensuring the safety of the victim in the basket at all times. The rescue basket comprises a remote control for controlling the winch speed that is able to be located at the winch itself, or be of a hand-held nature and attached at the rescue basket instead of at the vehicle if visual contact is problematic.