A hiker in New York’s Kaaterskill Wild Forest is recovering after falling approximately 1,000 feet after losing their footing in steep and slippery terrain.

On May 11th at 10:22pm Greene County 911 requested assistance from Forest Rangers for a hiker with a serious leg injury. A joint team from Haines Falls Fire Department and Tannersville Rescue reached the injured individual at 1:24am and determined that a helicopter extraction would be the safest option but would have to wait until first light.

Forest Rangers stabilized the hiker’s injury and lit a fire to stay warm as they waited for the sun to rise. At 7:29am a New York State Police helicopter transported Forest Ranger crew boss Cowart to the scene of the accident.

Rangers on the ground prepared the hiker for extraction and Ranger Cowart successfully hoisted the hiker into the helicopter. The injured hiker was flown to a designated landing zone and transferred to a Med Flight team for transport to Albany Medical Center.

DEC Forest Rangers Press Release:

Town of Hunter, Greene County, Wilderness Rescue: 

On May 11 at 10:22 p.m., Greene County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker who suffered a significant leg injury in Kaaterskill Wild Forest.

On May 12 at 1:24 a.m., a team of rescuers from Haines Falls Fire Department and Tannersville Rescue reached the 26-year-old from Sherburne. The patient was nearly 1,000 feet off trail on steep and slippery terrain.

Ranger Dawson determined the safest way to rescue the hiker was with support from New York State Police Aviation at first light. Rangers Fox and Peterson stabilized the injury and kept the patient warm with a fire overnight. At 7:29 a.m., NYSP Pilots Bernardini and Leeder flew with Forest Ranger crew boss Cowart to the scene. Rangers Fox, Franceschina, and Martin prepared the hiker on the ground and Ranger Cowart successfully hoisted the subject into the helicopter.

The pilots flew to a landing zone where crews transferred the subject to Med Flight for transport to Albany Medical Center. Resources were clear at 11:53 a.m. 

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Francis Xavier is a seasoned writer for Unofficial Networks, bringing a lifetime of outdoor experience to his work. Having lived in a ski resort town for years he has a deep connection to mountain culture....