Injured West Hartford Hiker Rescued Off NH Mountain: Authorities

WEST HARTFORD, CT/THOMPSON & MESERVES PURCHASE, N.H. — A West Hartford hiker was rescued via military helicopter from a New Hampshire mountain Sunday after badly breaking his leg.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department identified the victim as Andrew Davis, 27, of West Hartford.

Authorities said Davis had to crawl 0.3 miles to rescuers could retrieve him and take him to a nearby hospital.

According to officials, at about 11:30 a.m., the fish and game department was notified via an emergency SOS signal at the Edmands Col Cutoff Trail in that town.

"The company monitoring the device had no additional information to determine the type or cause of the emergency," wrote New Hampshire authorities in a release.

"Shortly thereafter, a 911 call was received in the same location. However, the call was brief and was dropped after only a report of a serious injury was relayed."

According to New Hampshire authorities, the location of the signal was 4.5 miles from the nearest road and on the exposed ridgeline between Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Adams.

This prompted a request to the N.H. Army National Guard for helicopter support, state officials said.

"The National Guard was able to scramble a crew amid a holiday weekend and provided a Blackhawk helicopter," wrote New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Meanwhile, two Randolph Mountain Club caretakers from the Gray Knob hut were contacted and volunteered to hike up to the ridge to locate the source of the emergency.

Authorities said one was a volunteer with Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue (AVSAR) and another was a volunteer with Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue (PVSAR).

The helicopter left from Concord just after 3 p.m. with the two caretakers finding Davis with a severely broken leg on the exposed ridgeline.

Authorities said Davis crawled more than 0.3 miles from where he initially suffered the injury to where he was rescued.

At approximately 3:40 p.m., the Blackhawk arrived at this location and was able to land the helicopter, officials said.

The Blackhawk transported Davis to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, N.H.

Officials said the use of the helicopter saved dozens of rescuers from having to hike several miles and carry the injured hiker "through difficult and dangerous terrain."

"Requesting assistance from the National Guard is not taken for granted and is only utilized in the most urgent or potentially life-threatening situations," state officials wrote.

Authorities said Davis is an "experienced and avid hiker who has completed a complete Appalachian Trail through-hike and has conducted multiple hikes in the White Mountains over the years.

"He does possess a Hike Safe card and had all the proper gear for a prolonged stay in the mountains including a tent and sleeping bag," wrote the state.

"The injury was a result of an accident, not negligence."

For the full State of New Hampshire release, click on this link.