Thousands Raised To Support Family Of Andover Hiker Who Died In NH

ANDOVER, MA — A fundraiser has been set up to support the family of 53-year-old Xi Chen, an Andover resident who died Sunday after encountering wintry weather conditions on a hike in the White Mountains, New Hampshire officials said.

Chen had been attempting the Presidential Range traverse, a popular 20-mile trail in the White Mountains, when he was overcome Saturday evening by freezing temperatures, sleet and strong winds, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game. He texted his wife around 6:30 p.m., telling her he might need help, and she quickly alerted authorities.

But due to the severe weather and other rescues occurring nearby, rescue teams didn't reach Chen until four hours later, around 10:30 p.m. By the time they found him, he was alive but unresponsive, and severely hypothermic.

Rescuers carried him up to the summit of Mount Washington to be taken to a Berlin hospital for treatment. He died on Father's Day, surrounded by his family.

Chen was an experienced hiker with "strong willpower," his son, 19-year-old Kaiwen, told the Boston Globe. He leaves behind three young adult children and his wife, Liu.

As of this writing, the GoFundMe organized to support the Chen family had raised nearly $34,000 toward its goal of $50,000.

Chen's funeral is set for Wednesday, the Boston Globe reported. He will be cremated and eventually buried in China, beside his mother.