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.
Essex County
Town of Keene
On April 16 at 2:30 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a report of a fallen climber at the Spider’s Web climbing area in Keene. At 3:37 p.m., six Rangers reached the subject and determined a hoist rescue was the best option. The hiker had fallen approximately 40 feet and had significant injuries. State Police Sergeant Beck piloted the helicopter with Ranger Balerno. Rangers on the ground stabilized the 23-year-old from Connecticut and moved him to a safe place for the rescue. Ranger Balerno lowered a litter so Rangers on the ground could secure the subject and hoist him into the helicopter. Sgt. Beck then flew the climber to Marcy Field and the patient was transferred to a LifeNet helicopter for transport to the hospital. Resources were clear at 5:06 p.m.
Saratoga County
Town of Greenfield
Wilderness Rescue: On April 16 at 12:33 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with two hikers lost in Daniel’s Road State Forest. The hikers indicated they were on the trail, but became disoriented trying to find their way back to Daniels Road, where they had parked. Forest Ranger Lieutenant Ganswindt responded to the trailhead, used a pin of a subject’s location, and directed the hikers to walk in the proper direction. Lt. Ganswindt met the hikers on the trail and walked the two Clifton Park residents back to the trailhead by 2:46 p.m. The pair said they planned to hike five miles, but their trackers indicated they actually walked 13. They were hot, tired, and had blisters. The hikers were not prepared for the hike, were unfamiliar with the trail system, and did not have a map.
Video of the hoist mission is available at DEC’s website.
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