Overdue Hikers

Lincoln, NH - At 10:23 pm August 5, 2018 the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department was notified of two overdue hikers in Lincoln, NH. Two 20-year-old women were hiking as part of a larger group planning to complete a "Pemi Loop". They separated from their group on Mount Bondcliff at 6:30 pm because of a pre-existing injury to one hiker that kept her pace slower than the rest of the party. The main portion of the group reached Lincoln Woods and after an extended wait for the two break-away party members dialed 911 after not having contact for four hours.

Conservation Officers with the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department were just completing another rescue on the Garfield Trail in Franconia and Bethlehem. They quickly responded to Lincoln Woods and were able to locate the overdue hikers on the Lincoln Woods Trail a short distance from the Trailhead. The whole hiking party underestimated the time it would take to reach the Lincoln Woods and were unable to communicate with each other because of poor cellular reception throughout the wilderness.

New Hampshire Fish & Game Department Conservation Officers would like to remind anyone enjoying the outdoors this summer to plan ahead and make safe decisions. Hiking in the White Mountains is challenging and requires preparation. All hikers should carry essential equipment to be ready not just for the intended hike, but other issues that could arise. Please visit http://www.hikesafe.com/ for more information.

Ill Hiker

Franconia, NH - On the Evening of Saturday, August 4, 2018, New Hampshire Fish & Game Conservation Officers received a call from a hiker who had fallen ill while hiking Franconia Ridge. Sarah Yankee, 39, of East Haddam, Connecticut called in that she was stricken ill and unable to continue hiking along the Garfield Ridge Trail. Due to the late hour, and remoteness of Yankee's location Conservation Officers determined that a rescue mission that night was not possible. Appalachian Mountain Club personnel from the Galehead shelter were contacted and were able to assist the ill hiker to the Garfield Tent Site where she remained for the night.

On the morning on Sunday, August 5, 2018 two Conservation Officers used ATVs and hiked to the tent site and determined that Yankee would be unable to walk out under her own power. Due to the remoteness of her location numerous volunteers were needed, volunteers were assembled from Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team, Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team, The Appalachian Mountain Club, the US Forest Service, Twin Mountain Fire Department, additional Conservation Officers as well as volunteer efforts from Good Samaritan hikers.

Conservation Officers and Volunteers carried Yankee out over rough terrain to a waiting ATV, that transported her to the trailhead. Bethlehem Emergency Services Ambulance transported Yankee to the Littleton Hospital for further treatment.

ATV Crash

Berlin, NH - On the afternoon of Saturday, August 4, 2018, North Country authorities teamed up to assist a man involved in an ATV crash in Jericho Mountain State Park.

At approximately 2:15 PM, Michael Middleton, 67, of Berlin, NH was operating an ATV with family members on the Pipeline Trail heading east toward Berlin. While keeping to the far right of the trail to avoid oncoming traffic, Michael hit a rock with a tire and was thrown from his vehicle. Upon hitting the ground, Michael was then struck by his own ATV, resulting in injury.

Michael was immediately attended to by family members following the crash and a call for help was placed from the scene. Due to the Jericho ATV Festival, authorities from multiple agencies were in the area and responded to the scene.

Personnel that included New Hampshire State Forest Rangers, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers, U.S. Border Patrol Officers, Berlin Fire Fighters and Berlin EMS providers all responded to the call for help and participated at the crash scene. Michael was ultimately taken by a Berlin Fire Department off road rescue vehicle to a waiting ambulance staged at Jericho Lake Road. Once roadside, Michael was transported by Berlin Ambulance to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for further evaluation and treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

As a result of an investigation into this incident, Conservation Officers learned that Michael was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and that he had been struck in the head by his ATV during the crash. His decision to wear a helmet undoubtedly saved him from further serious injury or potentially death. This highlights the importance of always wearing a helmet while operating off road vehicles anywhere.

Multiple ATV Crashes

Berlin, NH - On the afternoon of Friday, August 3, 2018, North Country authorities responded to multiple ATV crashes in Jericho Mountain State Park.

At approximately 1:00 PM, Janice Sisson, 53, of Cavendish, Vermont sustained an arm injury after going off of the Pipeline Trail to avoid a collision with another OHRV (Off Highway Recreation Vehicle). Upon receiving word of the crash, New Hampshire State Forest Rangers, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers and personnel from Berlin Fire and Berlin EMS responded to the scene. Janice was removed from the scene through the use of a specialized off road rescue vehicle and taken to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin by Gorham Ambulance.

At approximately 4:00 PM, Berlin Fire and EMS, along with two New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers, responded to a second crash in Jericho Mountain State Park. Cheryl Palermo, 47, of Danvers, Massachusetts was found to have sustained multiple injuries after being ejected from her ATV while negotiating some rock slabs on the Overlook Trail. Cheryl was stabilized by her riding companions and ultimately removed from the scene using another specialized off road rescue vehicle provided by the Berlin Fire Department. Cheryl was transported to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin via Berlin Ambulance for further evaluation and treatment of several non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities would like to remind OHRV operators that if they are involved in a crash resulting in $500 or more in damages to the machine or injury to any person, that they must file an OHRV Accident Report with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department within five days of the crash.

Injured Hiker

Albany, NH - On Thursday, August 2nd at approximately 5:30 PM New Hampshire Fish and Game was notified that a hiker had injured his ankle on the Champney Brook Trail in Albany. The hiker was Steven Westcott, 69 of Rye New Hampshire. Steven had hiked to the summit of Mt. Chocorua and while descending he slipped and injured his left ankle. His hiking partner Colleen Beechwood of Strafford NH ran out to the trail head and drove to get cell phone service to place a call for help. Steven was able to make some progress with the assistance of passing hikers but he was ultimately placed in a litter and carried 1.5 miles back to the trailhead.

Conservation Officers and members of Conway Fire and Rescue responded and were assisted during the carryout by several hikers who were on the trail and volunteered to help. Steven arrived at the trailhead shortly before 8:30 PM and was driven from the scene.

Lost Hiker

Waterville Valley, NH - On Thursday, August 2nd, at approximately 6:00 PM New Hampshire Fish and Game responded to a call for assistance for a lost hiker in the vicinity of the Blueberry Ledge Trail in Waterville Valley. Karen Kappes, 76 years old from Holden Massachuettes was hiking the Blueberry Ledge Cuttoff Trail when she went off trail and became lost. She attempted to self-rescue but was unsuccessful. She eventualy called 911 for assistance. A Fish and Game Conservation officer was able to locate her using the coordinate given by 911 dispatch. She was located approximately two miles from her parked vehicle and ½ mile off trail between the Blueberry Ledge Trail and the Blueberry Ledge Cuttoff Trail. She arrived at the trailhead at approximately 9:30 PM and was reunited with her awaiting son.

Posted 8/6/18