Crime & Safety
FL Man, 79, Missing After Wandering Off Summit Of NH Mountain: Officials
The search continues for a 79-year-old Florida man who wandered off the summit of New Hampshire's Mount Washington, officials said.
SARGENT’S PURCHASE, NH — The search continues for a 79-year-old Florida man who went missing after wandering off the summit of Mount Washington on Wednesday, according to a news release from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
William Davis of Jacksonville was reported missing around 6 p.m. after taking the Cog Train to the top of the mountain and wandering off the summit.
Davis’ wife said he was last seen near the observation deck around 3:20 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Jacksonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“From there no one knows where he went,” NHFGD said. “Phone contact was made by a state park employee and it seemed that he was lost off trail but didn’t appear to be very far from the summit.”
While Davis didn’t know where he was, his description of the area made it seem that he was nearby and could be easily found, the department said. But after more than an hour, he wasn’t located and stopped answering his phone.
Find out what's happening in Jacksonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A Fish and Game Drone Team and more than 24 rescuer workers searched off the trails into early Thursday morning.
While the temperatures were mild with light winds at the start of the search, a late fog came in and the wind picked up, the department said.
See Also:
- Girl, 5, Hospitalized After Eating THC Gummies, Caretaker Arrested: St. Pete Police
- FEMA Fraud Charge Filed Against Tampa Bay-Area Woman: U.S. DOJ
- 15-Year-Old Human Trafficking Victim Rescued, 2 Arrested: Hillsborough County Sheriff
- 3 Kids Shooting Flare Gun Off Bridge Hit Boat, Set It On Fire: Bradenton Police
The search ended Thursday around 2 a.m. and picked up again several hours later around 6 a.m. and drone teams picked up their work again right after sunrise, searching areas where they thought Davis might have walked to.
Searchers scoured off-trail locations as clouds thickened and winds increased throughout the day. Thursday’s search ended as weather conditions deteriorated.
They picked up again Friday morning with New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation officers, Mount Washington State Park personnel, and volunteer search teams from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.