A 66-year-old New Hampshire man required a military helicopter rescue Thursday after suffering a leg injury deep in the White Mountains, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
Scott Bailey of Plymouth, NH was hiking alone on the Bondcliff Trail in Lincoln when he slipped and fell while descending a steep section of trail. Bailey had spent the previous night at Guyot Shelter and was making his way out when the accident occurred.
At 11:53 am on May 28th, Bailey was able to send a text to NH 911 reporting a leg injury that left him unable to continue without assistance. Using coordinates provided by 911, Conservation Officers determined Bailey was located nearly 7.5 miles from the trailhead.
Given the remote location, officials contacted the NH Army National Guard to coordinate a helicopter extraction. By 1:00pm, a Lakota helicopter had departed Concord to locate Bailey, with a Blackhawk standing by to perform the hoist once he was found.
The Lakota crew located Bailey at approximately 1:30pm. The Blackhawk then arrived on scene and lowered two crew members to Bailey’s position. The crew moved Bailey to a nearby opening in the trees and hoisted him and the crew members into the aircraft by 2:50pm.
Bailey was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, where he was evaluated and treated for his injury.
Fish and Game noted Bailey was well-prepared for his trip. Officials used the rescue as an opportunity to remind hikers to carry the ten essentials on any backcountry outing. More information is available at hikeSafe.com.
