Hiker from South Portland injured in fall from New Hampshire fire tower

A South Portland man, who was hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire on Sunday, fell off a fire tower and had to be airlifted to a local hospital.

Matt Kopyt, 25, of South Portland was hiking Mt. Kearsarge North with a friend when the accident took place. The pair had summited the mountain and Kopyt climbed to the top of the fire tower to take photos. Kopyt was at the top of the stairs when he fell and landed at the base of the tower, according to a news release issued by Lt. Bradley R. Morse of the New Hampshire and Fish and Game Service.

Kopyt’s companion rendered first aid while another hiker called 911 for help. Kopyt suffered a serious head injury, Morse said. The Army National Guard Aviation Unit responded by sending a medevac helicopter to the summit.

The helicopter crew was able to extract Kopyt using a hoist and a rescue seat around 3:45 p.m. Sunday. He was flown to Memorial Hospital in North Conway for evaluation and treatment. Kopyt was airlifted to safety about three hours after he fell off the fire tower.

Fish and game conservation officers, members of Fryeburg Fire Rescue, SACO Valley Fire Rescue, North Conway Fire Rescue and Action Ambulance responded.