BRUNSWICK (AP) – An 18-year-old hiker from Bronx, New York was airlifted from Elephant Mountain in northern Oxford County Thursday morning after losing consciousness while hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Rasheem Jamel Tartt was with a school group on a 20-day trip on the trail when he felt chest pains and lost consciousness, said Naval Air Station Brunswick spokesman John James.

Maine Warden Service personnel initially responded to the scene but soon called for a helicopter from Naval Air Station Brunswick.

An H-1 “Huey” search and rescue helicopter arrived around noontime near Elephant Mountain, located in Township C less than 10 miles north of Andover. A medic and a rescue aircrewman were lowered through the trees. The two then hiked 1,200 feet up the mountain with their litter and equipment and stabilized the victim. The helicopter hovered above and Tartt was hoisted aboard.

Tartt was flown to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. A nursing supervisor said Thursday night that Tartt was treated and released.



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