A hiker was rescued the evening of Sunday, April 26th, from the area around Mount Washington, Massachusetts, a town in the southwestern corner of the state, after getting lost on the trail as daylight faded, prompting a coordinated air and ground response from the Massachusetts State Police.
The woman began her hike at approximately 2:55pm. By 5:20pm, she had texted her husband to say she was lost and losing cell service. With the deteriorating conditions, she worked to place a 911 call and relay her GPS coordinates to dispatchers.
The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing was deployed to search the area from above. As darkness settled over the terrain, troopers in the aircraft spotted the hiker by the light of her flashlight. Her position confirmed, the Massachusetts State Police Special Emergency Response Team moved in on foot, navigating rugged ground to reach her approximately a mile and a half from the trailhead.
She was brought out safely.
The rescue serves as a timely reminder of how quickly conditions can turn on a trail. Authorities recommend that hikers always share their plans with someone before heading out, keep their phones charged, and know their route before setting foot on the trail. Even hikers with experience can lose their way and find themselves in need of assistance.
Located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Mount Washington is a town of about 160 people. The small town is surrounding by hiking trails and mountains.
