SANDY RIVER PLANTATION – State game wardens and rescue personnel drove ATVs about five miles up to a section of the Appalachian Trail Wednesday to assist an injured hiker, according to Cpl. John MacDonald spokesman for Maine Warden Service.

Robert Sweet, 60, of South Freeport was hiking with friends on the back side of Saddleback Mountain, just north of Eddy Pond, when he received a serious injury to his ankle, MacDonald said in a release.

Wardens, Rangeley Fire Rescue Department and a NorthStar EMS ambulance responded just before 3 p.m. to the scene.

Rangeley Fire Rescue Lt. Tiger Sikes wrote on the Rangeley Fire Rescue Department’s Facebook that after the ATVs reached a section on the trail rescuers had to hike 1,800 feet in on the Piazza Rock portion of the trail.

Sweet was able to help himself down the trail with the aid of crutches and assistance from rescue personnel to a waiting ambulance, MacDonald wrote.

He was taken by NorthStar to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington for treatment.  

Rescuers, Maine wardens and NorthStar EMS personnel assist Robert Sweet, 60, of South Freeport who was injured Wednesday while hiking on the Appalachian Trail in Sandy River Plantation. He was hiking with friends on the back side of Saddleback Mountain, just north of Eddy Pond, according to Maine Warden Service Spokesman Cpl. John MacDonald.

Rescuers, Maine wardens and NorthStar EMS personnel assisted Robert Sweet, 60, of South Freeport who was injured Wednesday while hiking on the Appalachian Trail in Sandy River Plantation.

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