Rescue crews in New Hampshire undertook a lengthy carryout of several miles overnight after a hiker was injured near Owl’s Head.
According to New Hampshire Fish and Game officials, conservation officers received a report of an SOS alert near Owl’s Head in the Pemigewasset Wilderness around 5:15 p.m. on Monday, September 21.
The 56-year-old hiker from New Hampshire had reportedly suffered a lower leg injury and was unable to continue without assistance.
The hiker was located 6.5 miles from the Lincoln Woods Trailhead.
A rescue team made up of conservation officers and volunteers from the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team responded to the trailhead.
The first rescuers started in a little after 7 p.m. and were shuttled by ATV the first 2.5 miles. By 9:45 p.m., the first rescuers arrived on scene and were able to place the injured hiker into a rescue litter for the lengthy carryout, which began at 10 p.m.
The rescue party arrived back at Lincoln Woods at 2 a.m. The injured hiker was taken by private vehicle for treatment of his injured leg.
The hiker had reportedly summitted Owl’s Head and was descending via the Brutus Bushwhack when a slip and fall caused the lower leg injury around 3 p.m. Realizing that he could not make it out, a companion hiker started out for help as there is no cell service in the area.
Eventually the companion came across another hiker who was carrying a Garmin inReach device.
The good Samaritan was able to alert the Rescue Coordination Center of the need for a rescue and provided the hiker’s location. He also continued and stayed with the injured hiker until the arrival of rescuers.
In all, 29 rescuers participated in the carryout.
