A hiker is lucky to be alive after reportedly falling more than 60 feet on Mount Tom in western Massachusetts last week.
Fire department officials in Holyoke, Massachusetts said they responded to a report of an injured hiker at Mount Tom Reservation along the border of Holyoke and Easthampton at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, June 26.
Massachusetts State Police and police and fire department personnel from Easthampton also responded to the scene.
Two hikers on the mountain reportedly discovered the injured hiker and called for help. The hiker was reportedly a female in her 20s.
Officials said the hiker had reportedly fallen roughly 60 to 70 feet down the side of the mountain. The north face of Mount Tom is known for its steep, rocky cliffs.
Fire officials said recent rain had created slippery, challenging conditions for hikers.
First responders called in the Western Massachusetts Regional Technical Rescue Team to assist in performing a technical rescue of the hiker.
Using ropes, members of the technical rescue team were able to reach the hiker and safely secure her before pulling her up to a trail where she could be safely carried out.
Officials with the technical rescue team said loose shale rock on the side of the slope made the rescue unsteady and challenging.
Officials said once technicians arrived on scene, it took about an additional hour and a half to remove the patient to the waiting ambulance.
The hiker had reportedly suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
No other information on her condition was available.
