An injured 79-year-old hiker was flown to a New Hampshire hospital Monday afternoon after suffering a serious fall on the Glen Boulder Trail in the White Mountains.
According to New Hampshire Fish and Game, the agency was notified at approximately 2:30pm on September 7th after a 911 call reported that the hiker had fallen near the Davis Path junction. The location was approximately four miles from the closest parking lot.
Hiker Suffered Head and Neck Injuries
The hiker was unable to move following the fall and had lost feeling in his extremities. His companion contacted emergency services, prompting New Hampshire Fish and Game to request an emergency helicopter from the New Hampshire Army National Guard.
The reported injuries and remote location created a potentially difficult rescue operation. Although skies were mostly clear, strong winds along the ridge meant that a helicopter extraction was not guaranteed. Search and rescue volunteers were therefore also mobilized in case a helicopter could not reach the injured hiker.
Rescuers Prepared for Overnight Carryout
Members of Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue and Lakes Region Search and Rescue responded to the call. A total of 24 volunteers and six New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers ultimately took part in the rescue effort.
While the rescuers waited for the Black Hawk helicopter, Conservation Officers transported volunteers up the Sherburne Ski Trail to Hermit Lake Shelter using ATVs. From there, the rescuers began hiking toward the injured hiker using Boot Spur Link, Boot Spur Trail and Davis Path.
If the helicopter had been unable to land, rescuers would have faced a lengthy technical carryout with a patient suffering potentially life-threatening injuries. Officials said the operation could have continued throughout the night.
Black Hawk Helicopter Completes Rescue
At approximately 5:30pm, the Army National Guard helicopter was able to land on Davis Path near the injured hiker. Flight medics assessed him before placing him into a litter and carrying him to the helicopter.
The Black Hawk departed the ridge at 5:49pm and flew the injured hiker directly to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. New Hampshire Fish and Game credited the successful helicopter extraction with preventing an arduous overnight carryout from difficult White Mountain terrain.