Three hikers with no lights and who officials say were unprepared for frigid temperatures had to be rescued on New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock last night.
New Hampshire Fish and Game officials were reportedly contacted by Mount Monadnock State Park staff shortly before 5 p.m. regarding three lost hikers near the summit of the mountain.
According to Fish and Game officials, the three hikers were unprepared for the impending darkness and cold temperatures. The wind chill temperatures on Monadnock at the time of the call were approximately -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
A response was initiated to rescue the three immediately from Monadnock Park Staff, Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team, and New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers.
A phone call was able to be placed to the victims in order to help them find the trail and get below tree line with the minutes of light left to navigate. Once they made it to tree line they were unable to continue as they did not have lights.
Rescuers made contact with the hikers and were able to provide gear to help with their decent. The three hikers were identified as Sirin O’Connor, 63, and Somjak Weerapit, 50, both of Quincy, Massachusetts, and Phromthep Khankaew, 37, of Thailand.
Due to their lack of warm clothing and exposure to extreme cold, O’Connor’s condition deteriorated on the decent. Rescue crews then stopped and gave warm fluids and aided in warming O’Connor. Due to her lack of strength and cold exposure, it was determined the safest and most efficient extrication would be to carry O’Connor the remaining 1.3 miles.
Crews were able to assist Weerapit and Khankaew down under their own power, arriving at the trailhead at approximately 8:30 p.m. Simultaneously, rescue crews carried O’Connor down the mountain, arriving at the trailhead at approximately 9:48 p.m.
O’Connor was transported by Jaffrey Ambulance to Monadnock Community Hospital where she was treated for her injuries.