Andover Man Dies In New Hampshire Hiking Accident

ANDOVER, MA — A 53-year-old Andover hiker died over the weekend after he was overcome by freezing temperatures and severe weather near Mt. Washington, according to New Hampshire authorities.

According to New Hampshire Fish and Game, Xi Chen was hiking across the Presidential Range along the Gulfside Trail on Saturday evening when he began to experience signs of hypothermia. He texted his wife to get help around 6:30 p.m., but rescue teams were not able to reach him until after 10:30 p.m. due to weather and other nearby rescues.

During the rescue, sleet and rain were battering the area near where Chen was stranded at Mt. Clay, according to fish and game. When rescuers found Chen, he was clinging to life, and had to be carried away in a litter.

Crews carried Chen back up to the Mt. Washington summit, where he was taken down the mountain in a truck. He was then taken via ambulance to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin.

Fish and game officials reported his death on Monday morning.