Hiker Airlifted Off Appalachian Trail In NJ After Head Injury

VERNON, NJ — A solo hiker was airlifted off a difficult section of the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey after falling ten feet and suffering a head injury, Vernon police said.

The man, a 37-year-old, was hiking the "Stairway to Heaven" section of the trail in Vernon Saturday morning when he tumbled about ten feet. He was able to call 911 himself, and 911 dispatchers tracked his location using his phone's GPS system back to the "Pinwheel Vista" area of the hike.

Two fellow hikers, both of whom are nurse practitioners, stopped and helped the man while dispatchers talked the injured man through some basic first aid, police said.

Vernon police, the Glenwood Pochuck Ambulance Squad, and the NJ State Park Police found the man, but the type of injuries and where the hiker was made it it was too dangerous for him to be manually taken out of the park.

Three rescue helicopters flew to the mountain, and a US Coast Guard helicopter used a basket to lift the man into the helicopter. He was flown to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Patterson.

"While accidents can happen to even the most experienced hikers it should be noted that this section of the Appalachian Trail is significantly more difficult than the 'Boardwalk' section of the trail," police said, describing an adjoining trail section that is flat and over a wooden boardwalk. "Please always use extreme caution and make sure you are prepared for the terrain you will encounter when hiking in this area."

Image via Vernon Police