On Thursday, June 4th, a hiker suffered a medical emergency about 2.5 miles from the trailhead at Falling Waters Trail in New Hampshire. A Good Samaritan came across the individual and attempted to assist him down the trail, but New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers were called in to assist nonetheless.
By about 5:30pm, the first Conservation Officer arrived with the pair at Cloudmont Falls. The officer provided fluids and the group continued to work their way down the trailhead, arriving just before 7pm.
The hiker, 52-year-old Tom Delaney of Brewster, Massachusettes, had left earlier in the day hoping to summit Little Haystack Mountain. Before he arrived at the summit he made the decision to turn around and head back down the mountain, with a sudden illness making it difficult for him to continue. He was well prepared with more than the ten essentials in his pack.
Upon returning to the trailhead, Delaney was assessed by LinWood Ambulance but chose to rest and head home to Massachusetts.
The Falling Waters Trail is a popular hiking trail that runs to the top of Little Haystack Mountain, which intersects with the Appalachian Trail. It provides views of several waterfalls along the way, including Stairs Falls, Swiftwater Falls, and the 80-foot Cloudland Falls. The hike to the summit of Little Haystack is approximately 5.9 miles out and back.
New Hampshire Fish and Game reminds all hikers to be prepared for their trek by at least packing the ten essential items, including a map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, a headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets and pants, and a knife. More information on hiking safety is available at hikeSafe.com.
