2 fatalities, several other weekend rescues for Fish & Game crew, first responders

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NH Fish & Game specialized team was officially established in 1996, so that trained Conservation Officers could augment the search and rescue abilities of the highly trained volunteer search and rescue organizations that routinely assist in fulfilling Fish and Game's search and rescue responsibilities.
NH Fish & Game specialized team was officially established in 1996, so that trained Conservation Officers could augment the search and rescue abilities of the highly trained volunteer search and rescue organizations that routinely assist in fulfilling Fish and Game’s search and rescue responsibilities.

CONCORD, NH – NH Fish & Game conservation officers were called on over the weekend for a series of rescues, one of them involving a snowmobiler from Rhode Island who apparently died after striking a tree, and the discovery Feb. 28 of a deceased hiker on Castle Ravine Trail in Randolph.

The rescues were coordinated with local fire, search and rescue personnel and other agencies called upon from multiple precincts across New Hampshire

The following are the incident reports issued by the Fish & Game Department:


Body of dead hiker found by other hikers at Castle Ravine Trail

RANDOLPH, NH – On Sunday, February 28 at approximately 8:45 a.m., two hikers came across a body of another hiker laying in the Castle Ravine Trail close to the tree line between Mt. Adams and Mt. Jefferson. The hikers checked for a pulse and found the hiker frozen with no signs of life. They attempted to make a 911 call from that location but they were unable to. The two then continued to hike down the Castle Ravine Trail until they met a hiker heading up the Castle Ravine Trail approximately 1 mile from the trail head.

At 11:22 a.m. they used his cell phone to make a 911 call reporting the dead hiker they had found. Conservation Officers volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, Mountain Rescue Services US Forest Service and Pemi Search and Rescue responded to assist in the recovery.

Conservation Officers conducted interviews with the hikers who found the body. Then a plan was made to have two teams come in from two directions. Both teams had conservation officers on them so they could investigate at the scene. One team went up the Lowes Path to the Randolph Path crossed the ridge to the Castle Ravine Trail. The other team took a snow cat up Mt. Washington and crossed the ridge line approximately 5 miles to the Castle Ravine Trail.

Both groups arrived about the same time at the Castle Trail at approximately 6 p.m. It was dark when they arrived and the location given was not precise enough to locate the victim quickly in the dark. After searching for a while the victim was located. The victim was only identified as a middle-aged white male, approximately 200 pounds.

Conservation Officers investigated the scene consulting with the Medical Examiner. After finding nothing suspicious they started moving the body down the mountain because it was impossible to go up the way that they had come. Other search and rescue teams hiking up to assist had to be diverted over very rugged terrain to aid with the extraction. The victim and rescuers made it out at approximately 2:30 a.m. and were met by the Bryant Funeral Home to transport his body, and where the medical examiner would start the process of determining a cause of death. At this time a positive identification has not been made or next of kin notified.

UPDATE: New Hampshire Fish and Game Law Enforcement has identified the hiker  as Timothy Hallock, 54, of of Orient, New York.  Mr. Hallock had no identification on him, making it challenging for law enforcement to locate his  relatives.  However, US Forest Service Law Enforcement did a lot of investigation regarding the  hiker’s identity while the recovery was in progress.  They worked closely with conservation officers  to identify Mr. Hallock and his relatives.  Peconic Police Department continued the investigation in Long Island, NY, to locate Hallock’s next of kin.  On March 2 authorities released Mr. Hallock’s cause of death as hypothermia.


Snowmobiler dies after losing control, striking tree

LINCOLN, NH – On Feb. 27 at 2:20 p.m. Conservation Officers were advised of a snowmobile accident that had occurred in Lincoln on the Power Line Trail near Bog Pond. Upon arrival at the access to the trail on Hansen Farm Road it was learned that the operator had died as a result of the injuries that he had sustained in the accident.

Members of the snowmobilers group came across him lying in the trail and were able to transport him approximately four miles to the road for medical treatment. Lincoln Fire Department and Linwood ambulance met the party at the road, but efforts to revive the victim were unsuccessful. It was determined at the scene of the accident that the operator had struck a water bar across the trail that caused him to lose control of his snowmobile and strike a tree along the side of the trail.

Also assisting with the investigation were members of Lincoln Police Department, Woodstock Police Department, and NH State Police. The deceased operator is identified as Jordan F. Desousa, 29,  of Warwick, RI. It appears as though speed was a factor in the accident.


Deerfield man injured after striking rock, alcohol may be a factor, official say

LITTLETON, NH – On Feb. 26 at 10:40 p.m. Conservation Officers were contacted regarding an Off Highway Recreational Vehicle (OHRV) accident that had occurred on the Lorr Trail in Littleton. Michael Reed, 37, of Deerfield, was operating a four-wheeled ATV along the trail and had struck a rock causing significant injury to him. Mr. Reed was transported to Littleton Regional Hospital for treatment and was eventually taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition. A joint investigation of the incident is being conducted by the Littleton Police Department and the NH Fish and Game Department. At this time it does appear as though alcohol was a factor in the collision.


Man injured by fellow snowmobiler after skimming accident

BOSCAWEN, NH – Also on Feb.  27 at 4 p.m. Conservation Officers were alerted to a snowmobile accident that had occurred on Walker Pond in Boscawen. Duncan Joyal, 24, of Webster, was operating his snowmobile across open water, commonly referred to as skimming, toward other members of his party standing on the ice watching. Joyal lost control of his snowmobile and struck Joshua Dow, 25, also of Webster. Dow had been standing on the ice watching Joyal skim the open water. Dow sustained injuries as a result of the collision and was transported to the Concord Hospital by Penacook Rescue. Also assisting at the scene was the Boscawen Police and Fire Departments. Charges are pending.


Hiker rescued after suffering injury on trail

WARNER, NH – On Feb. 27 at approximately 1:30 p.m., officials from the State of New Hampshire Fish and Game Department were notified that there was an injured hiker in need of assistance on the Barlow Trail on Mount Kearsarge. Conservation Officers from the NH Fish and Game Department, and members from Warner Fire and Rescue, Wilmot Fire and Rescue, New London Fire and Rescue, and Sutton Fire and Rescue, responded to assist the hiker, identified as Deborah Gotten, 61, from Portsmouth.

Gotten was hiking with a group of friends on the Barlow Trail on Mount Kearsarge. The group was descending from the summit when Gotten suffered a non-life threatening injury. A member of her hiking party called 911 and explained that Gotten was unable to continue on her own and needed assistance in getting off the mountain. Members of Wilmot Fire and Rescue reached the victim at around 4 p.m. She was treated for her injuries and carried to the summit of the mountain where a DHART helicopter picked her up. She was flown to DHMC in Lebanon where she received medical attention.


Injured hiker with leg injury, hypothermia, rescued

ORANGE, NH – On Feb. 26 at 2:20 p.m. a call was received by 911 reporting an injured hiker near the summit of Mount Cardigan. The caller was reporting that he had fallen as he descended from the summit injuring his lower leg and was no longer able to walk. The hiker was alone and was exposed to heavy winds and temperatures that were falling into the teens.

A rescue team made up of firefighters from Canaan, Enfield, and Grafton along with volunteers from the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team, and Conservation Officers from the NH Fish and Game Department departed from the West Ridge Trail in Orange.

The victim, identified as Mark Ireland of Somerville, Mass., was reached near the summit shortly before 5 p.m. Some passing hikers had come across Mr. Ireland lying in the trail and got him moving in an attempt to warm him, at this time he was not only suffering from his leg injury but also hypothermia. Rescuers placed him into a rescue litter and carried him 1.5 miles to the trailhead, where everyone arrived at 6:40 p.m. Mr. Ireland was evaluated by Canaan Ambulance and then transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for further treatment.

Mr. Ireland had departed from AMC’s Cardigan Lodge in Alexandria at 11:30 a.m. and had planned after summiting Cardigan to return to his vehicle. It was determined that Mr. Ireland lacked much of the equipment needed for hiking in winter conditions above tree line and is lucky for the quick response of rescuers.

Hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase a voluntary Hike Safe Card. The card helps support Fish and Game Search and Rescue activities. For safe hiking tips and a list of essential gear visit hikesafe.com.


 

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About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!