Hiker with ‘severely broken leg’ crawls for help as 911 call drops, rescuers say
A 27-year-old hiker was rescued after suffering a severe leg injury in the New Hampshire mountains, rescuers say.
The Connecticut man first sent an SOS using an electronic device in the White Mountains on Sunday, May 26, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a May 26 news release.
The signal came from the Edmands Col Cutoff Trail in Thompson and Meserve’s Purchase at about 11:30 a.m., but no other information was relayed.
Shortly after, rescuers said a 911 was made from the same location “on the exposed ridgeline between Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Adams,” about 4 1/2 miles from the nearest road.
The call, though, dropped, and the only information gathered was that a serious injury had occurred, rescuers said.
Unsure if the injury was life-threatening, rescuers said they requested helicopter support from the National Guard.
After scrambling to find “a crew in the midst of a holiday weekend,” a Black Hawk helicopter “left from Concord just after 3:00 p.m.,” rescuers said.
Meanwhile, rescuers said two Randolph Mountain Club caretakers volunteered to search for the injured hiker.
While trekking the ridgeline, the pair happened upon “a hiker with a severely broken leg,” rescuers said.
The man had crawled more than three-tenths of a mile from where he got hurt, according to rescuers.
The helicopter arrived at about 3:40 p.m., and the man was placed in a litter before being airlifted to a hospital, rescuers said.
Rescuers called the man an “experienced and avid hiker who has completed a complete Appalachian Trail thru-hike and has conducted multiple hikes in the White Mountains over the years.”
Additionally, rescuers said the man was prepared with the proper gear in the event of an emergency.
“The injury was a result of an accident, not negligence,” rescuers said.
Edmands Col Cutoff, a trail with a 2,428-foot summit, sits near the “Northern Presidentials and The Great Gulf New Hampshire,” according to the hiking website Trailforks.
How to be prepared while hiking
If you’re planning to hike, the National Park Service says there are 10 essentials you should take:
Navigation: Pack a map, compass and a GPS system. Make sure you study your route beforehand and understand how to use the tools.
Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat can help protect your skin and eyes from UV rays.
Insulation: A jacket, hat, gloves, raincoat and thermal underwear can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
Illumination: A flashlight, lantern and headlamp can create light if you get stuck in the dark — and don’t forget to pack extra batteries.
First-aid supplies: It’s a good idea to have a first-aid kit on hand while hiking. Check the expiration date on items before you pack them.
Fire: Matches and a lighter can help start fire to act as an emergency signal in times of need.
Repair kit and tools: Duct tape, a knife, screwdriver and scissors can be helpful if items break during your hike or you need assistance.
Nutrition: You should pack an extra day’s worth of food in case something goes wrong. Park officials recommend having “salty and easy to digest snacks.”
Hydration: You should drink water often and before you feel thirsty if you’re hiking in hot weather. Keeping your body hydrated is “of utmost importance,” park officials said.
Emergency shelter: Packing a tent, space blanket, tarp and bivy can help you be prepared if severe weather breaks out or your plan takes a turn.
This story was originally published May 28, 2024 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Hiker with ‘severely broken leg’ crawls for help as 911 call drops, rescuers say."
