New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers.
Hamlet of Middle Island
Unconscious Subject Found: On Jan. 17 at 1 p.m., while patrolling Rocky Point State Forest, Ranger Hicks noticed a vehicle parked in a field. Ranger Hicks approached the car and noticed a woman passed out in the driver’s seat with a hypodermic needle in her hand. The Ranger was able to get the 36-year-old’s attention while also calling for an ambulance. The victim was conscious as Middle Island Fire Department transported her to the hospital.
Hamlet of Manorville
Illegal Use of Motor Vehicle: On Jan. 21, while patrolling Otis Pike Preserve, Ranger Hicks observed a subject illegally driving a motorized dirt bike on State land. When the operator noticed Ranger Hicks, the 15-year-old fled to a nearby residence. Ranger Hicks located the teenager and charged his parent with allowing a juvenile to operate an ATV on State land. The dirt bike was impounded.
Village of Bloomingburg
Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 17 at 3:27 p.m., Forest Rangers Cowart, O’Connell, and Rusher responded to a call for a lost hiker. A 53-year-old from Newburgh became lost on the way back to his vehicle. New York State Police found the subject’s vehicle at the end of Gould Lake Road. Ranger O’Connell made cell phone contact with the hiker and determined his location. Rangers and a member of the Bloomingburg Fire Department hiked in and located the subject approximately one-half mile from the road. The subject was evaluated by the Mamakating First Aid Squad. Resources were clear at 5:45 p.m.
Read past Forest Ranger search and rescue reports here.
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