A hiker who was injured in a 200-foot fall in New York last week had to be rescued by crews using a rope system.
On Tuesday, September 17, five New York forest rangers responded to the Inman Gulf in Tug Hill State Forest at 1:15 p.m. to help a hiker who had reportedly fallen 200 feet. Rangers and Lewis County Search and Rescue hiked 2.5 miles to the subject.
They determined the hiker had dislocated his shoulder. Rescue personnel chose a rope system to rescue the 46-year-old from Adams Center.
Martinsburg, New Bremen, and Rodman fire departments helped set up the rope system. Rescuers, including the Lewis County Search and Rescue team, New York State Police, and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, raised the subject 200 feet and transported him to EMTs and eventual hospital transport.
Resources were clear at 5:50 p.m.
The following are reports of other recent search and rescue incidents involving New York Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers.
Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 16 at 3:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Martin and Assistant Forest Ranger (AFR) Jackson responded to a call for a hiker with a deep hand laceration on Mount Marshall. No exact location was provided, but Ranger Martin found the hiker, provided first aid, and stopped the bleeding. Ranger Martin and AFR Jackson helped the 25-year-old from Rochester back to the trailhead where she decided to seek further medical attention on her own. Resources were clear at 9:13 p.m.
Town of Windham
Greene County
Wilderness Recue: On Sept. 17 at 12:15 p.m., Greene County 911 received a call from an injured mountain biker in Elm Ridge Wild Forest. Forest Rangers and Greene County EMS responded. Ranger Fox provided first aid and controlled the bleeding to a significant arm laceration. Rangers helped the 68-year-old from Monroe walk out approximately one-half mile to a waiting ambulance. Resources were clear at 2:30 p.m.
Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 17 at 10:40 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex County 911 about a climber suffering an allergic reaction and having difficulty breathing. The 20-year-old from Canada, who is allergic to tree nuts and peanuts, experienced an anaphylactic reaction while camping at the Wall Face lean-to. The hiker started hiking out to get help but started having breathing problems. The subject then self-administered an EpiPen and texted 911 for help. At 12:10 a.m., Forest Rangers Milano, Quinn, and Snye and Newcomb EMS reached the subject. They gave him diphenhydramine and transported him out via ATV to a waiting ambulance.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 19 at 7:15 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiking party reporting a member of the group had suffered an ankle injury on Lower Wolfjaw Mountain, approximately three miles from the trailhead. The caller, an EMT, splinted his friend’s ankle. Forest Rangers Odell and Quinn met the hiking party as they walked slowly down the mountain and helped the group to their vehicle. The 36-year-old from Columbia decided to seek further medical attention on his own. Resources were clear at 9:30 p.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 20 at 6:05 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a subject suffering severe leg cramping. The rest of the subject’s hiking party continued on the Northville-Placid Trail to the Moose Pond lean-to. At 9:47 p.m., Forest Rangers Corey and Rooney reached the 36-year-old from Massachusetts, provided electrolytes, and helped him hike back out to the trailhead. At 12:05 a.m., they were met by a Lake Placid Ambulance for transport to the hospital.
Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 21 at 6:05 p.m., Forest Rangers Gullen and Peterson responded to a call for a hiker with a knee injury near the lower portion of Kaaterskill Falls. Rangers reached the 47-year-old from Schenectady, wrapped her knee, and assisted the hiker to a waiting Hunter Ambulance at the trailhead. Resources were clear at 8:20 p.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 22 at 11:26 a.m., Assistant Forest Ranger (AFR) Patnode responded to a call for a hiker with an ankle injury on Mount Jo. AFR Patnode splinted the ankle and helped the 40-year-old from Cazenovia to the trailhead. Forest Ranger Curcio helped the subject back to her vehicle where she advised she would seek further medical attention on her own. Resources were clear at 12:27 p.m.