Troopers, Middlefield Resident Recognized for Hiker Rescue

A Middlefield resident and two State Police Troopers were recognized this week for their role in the rescue of two hikers who were injured after falling from Beseck Mountain in May.

James Overly, and Troopers Larry Morello and Derek Smitt received awards for service during a cermony on Nov. 2 at the Connecticut State Police Training Academy in Meriden. 

On May 11, 2012, at 9:20 p.m., Troop F in Westbrook received a call from someone who reported hearing a female voice asking for help in the Black Pond area of Middlefield.  The exact location was unknown.  Troopers Morello and Smitt responded to the area, but were unable to locate anyone calling for help.  They searched the Mount Higby/Blue Trail area within the Lake Beseck section of Middlefield and, with the help of civilian James Overly and his four wheel drive vehicle, they were able to locate the source of the voice. 

They found a 25-year-old female who had fallen 50 feet over the edge of the mountain. She told the Troopers that her 28-year-old boyfriend had fallen also and was about 100 feet below her. She said they had fallen at about 7:30 p.m. while hiking and her boyfriend had been in and out of consciousness. 

After five hours of rescue work by the Troopers and three fire departments, the two victims were moved and flown to a local hospital for treatment.  The victims had endured more than eight hours outdoors after their fall, with temperatures that had dropped into the 30-degree range.

Overly earned a Commissioner’s Recognition Award, presented to a person who has been instrumental in helping the State Police accomplisg their job of public safety for all.

Troopers Morello and Smitt each earned a Medal for Outstanding Service, given to those who successfully perform an extreme, complex or difficult investigation.

Related Stories:

Two Hikers Fall from Beseck Mountain-Middlefield

Update: Hikers Rescued from Beseck Mountain Identified

Police: 'Good Samaritans' Helped Crews Rescue Injured Hikers [Video]

State Police contributed to this report