NH Man, RI Woman, And Others Rescued While Hiking On 4th Of July

NEW HAMPSHIRE — The 4th of July was a busy day for New Hampshire Fish and Game, which rescued four people who were injured or fell ill while hiking.

The first call of the day came in at 11:30 a.m., when a 15-year-old boy suffered a medical emergency while hiking the Lonesome Lake Trail, officials said. Franconia Notch State Park personnel carried the boy up the trail to an ambulance, which took him to the hospital.

Only a half hour later, a 57-year-old experienced hiker of Campton, New Hampshire sustained a lower leg injury while hiking on the unmaintained Lincoln's Slide in Franconia, according to officials. The hiker's companions and rescuers worked together to carry him down the trail to be transported for evaluation.

At 1:30 p.m., a 27-year-old woman from Hummelstown, Pennsylvania was injured after falling on a steep and wet section of the Falling Waters Trail while rescuers were still responding to the previous rescue, according to officials.

While waiting for rescuers, several passers-by assisted the woman, who was an experienced and well-equipped hiker, officials said. Once a conservation arrived she received first aid and was assisted down the trail.

Finally, just before 2 p.m., a 24-year-old-woman Foster, Rhode Island woman sustained a lower leg injury after falling on the A-Z Trail near the spur trail to Mt. Tom in Bethlehem.

NH Fish and Game conservation officers were already engaged in two other rescue calls when
the woman suffered her injury, so one conservation officer was pulled from another rescue to gather volunteers from the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team and the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team to carry her off the mountain.

"Today was a great reminder that the NH Fish and Game Department relies heavily on our volunteer groups," the department said. "The members are capable and hard-working individuals who don’t hesitate to give up their free time to help others in need. More than thirty volunteers took part in rescues on the Fourth of July."

NH Fish and Game added that outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase a Hike Safe card, which helps support Fish and Game search and rescue activities.