RILEY TOWNSHIP — A hiker who fell Saturday while hiking the Wright Trail in the Mahoosuc Mountain Range was rescued Sunday night after he called for help.
Roger Brown, 66, whose address was not immediately available, fell about 10 feet while hiking the trail, Mark Latti, communications director for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife wrote in an email Tuesday night.
Candice Casey of Bethel, a trail angel who give hikers rides, said Brown contacted her at 5:30 p.m. Sunday and she notified authorities.
Newry Fire Chief Alan Fleet said he called Brown and confirmed he was on the Wright Trail and had fallen Saturday in the rain, injuring his back when he slid into a tree.
“I live and work in the woods,” Fleet said. “This is second nature to me. I know this country really, really good.
The search started at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and ended at 2:30 a.m. Monday.
Using his ATV, Fleet led firefighters Ben Laier, Joelle Corey, Meganne Radway and Laura Carson, up Wright Trail, working with Jerry Bernier and Chris Hayward, who led a group of eight Mahoosuc Mountain Rescue workers who were first to find Brown.
Maine Game Wardens Mindy Rugg and Josh Theriault were also part of the rescue team, Latti said.
Brown was helped down the trail and refused treatment from medical personnel.
Casey drove Brown to the Quality Inn in Gorham, New Hampshire.
Fleet said rescuers were prepared to spend the night, wearing reflective vests, extra headsets, warm clothes and rain gear. He said when he got home at 2:36 a.m. Monday, the temperature had dropped from 65 degrees Sunday night to 39 degrees.
“The trail is nothing but a problem,” Fleet said. “That 25 miles from Shelbourne to Andover, it’s about the worst section of the whole Appalachian Trail,” he said.
He gave credit to Mahoosuc Mountain Rescue for their services.
“They are a lifesaver for all of our towns with these hiking trails,” Fleet said. “If it wasn’t for them all the areas would be in trouble. Our little Fire Department just cannot handle this.”
Fleet said this was the fourth rescue this summer and fall, including a teen who walked away from his group and took 51 searchers 14 hours to find him.
Copy the Story LinkComments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
