Dover Woman With Leg Injury Rescued On Lincoln Hiking Trail

LINCOLN, NH — NH Fish and Game was alerted to an injured hiker on the Fishing Jimmy Trail in Lincoln Monday.

Hiking companions had contacted 911 at 11:45 a.m. and reported a 52-year-old female had slipped on an icy steep stretch of the trail and slid about 15 feet down the trail, during the sliding fall she suffered a leg injury.

The leg injury prevented her from being able to hike out without assistance. The incident occurred about 1.2 miles above the Lonesome Lake Hut and 2.2 miles from the trailhead. A rescue team comprised of volunteers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team and conservation officers responded to the trailhead at Lafayette Campground.

At 2:45 p.m., the first rescuers arrived to the injured party, but because of the steep icy trail, it took considerable time to stabilize the injury and package the injured hiker into a rescue litter. At 4 p.m. the rescue team started their descent towards the trailhead. By 6:20 p.m., the rescue party reached the trailhead and a waiting ambulance.

The injured hiker, Laura Chandler of Dover, was transported by Linwood Ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital for treatment and evaluation of her injury.

Conservation officers said Chandler had carried all the necessary equipment for a winter hike, including traction devices that are a necessary piece of equipment this time of year.

This is the second incident in 48 hours in Lincoln that rescuers have had to respond to. On Sunday a distressed and unprepared hiker from New Jersey had to be rescued fromthe Liberty Springs trail.

For safe hiking tips and a list of essential gear, visit hikesafe.com. Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase a Hike Safe card at wildnh.com/safe. The card helps support Fish and Game search and rescue activities.