Injured Medford, Mass., Skier Rescued From Avalanche Brook Trail In Sargent's Purchase

SARGENT'S PURCHASE, NH — A Nordic skier was rescued Monday from the Avalanche Brook Trail after sustaining a leg injury.

Mark Rossi, 63, of Medford, Massachusetts, was part of a group skiing from Pinkham Notch Visitor Center (PNVC) towards the Rocky Branch parking lot when the incident occurred. New Hampshire Fish and Game was notified of the injured skier at approximately 11:55 a.m. The injury occurred more than two miles from PNVC, preventing Rossi from continuing his trip. The group with Rossi placed him in a sleeping bag with multiple layers and started a fire while awaiting help.

Conservation officers and volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue (AVSAR) initiated a response. Conservation officers attempted to reach the patient using snowmobiles from the Rocky Branch Trailhead. However, the snowmobiles could not reach the location. An initial AVSAR member snowshoed from Route 16 to provide medical care.

Other rescue personnel hiked off-trail via steep terrain from Route 16, near the Pinkham’s Grant/Jackson town line. Once on scene, rescuers placed Rossi into a litter. They carried him down through the off-trail access to the side of Route 16, arriving at 5:15 p.m.

Rossi opted to forgo an ambulance at the scene. He sought medical care on his own following the rescue, officials said.