Rescue crews were called on to search for a missing hiker on New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock last week after his hiking companions left him behind.
According to New Hampshire Fish and Game officials, they received a call at around 5:30 p.m. on July 4 from rangers at Monadnock State Park informing them that a hiker was missing.
The hiker – Isam Hejazi, 22, of South Easton, Massachusetts – had last been seen shortly after 3 p.m. near the junction of the White Dot and White Cross trails. His hiking companions reportedly left Hejazi behind when he began struggling to keep up with his friends.
His companions were later unable to locate him.
Park rangers immediately began searching the area’s trails for Hejazi. After the search was unsuccessful, rangers reached out to New Hampshire Fish and Game conservation officers for assistance. Conservation officers also called for assistance from the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team.
Before the secondary wave of searchers entered the search area, Hejazi emerged at the Monadnock Park Headquarters.
Fish and Game officials said hikers should never leave behind a hiking companion, especially if the hiker is struggling.