Hiker Plunges Off NH Mountain! Rescue Teams Race Against Time
A Massachusetts woman was seriously injured after falling 50-100 feet down Mount Pierce in New Hampshire's White Mountains on Saturday. According to New Hampshire Fish and Game, Meghan Mason, from Braintree, MA, was hiking a spur trail on the Crawford Path when she slipped and fell near a scenic overlook.
Conservation officers were alerted to the incident around 3:30 p.m. and found Mason approximately half a mile up the trail. Due to the challenging terrain and the precariousness of her location, Mountain Rescue Service, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team, and Twin Mountain Fire Rescue were called in to assist.
Volunteers worked together to carefully move Mason from the drop-off point and carry her via stretcher to the trailhead. Twin Mountain Ambulance then transported her to Littleton Regional Hospital, where she received treatment for serious, but non-life-threatening, injuries. The rescue operation concluded around 7 p.m.
In a separate incident, seven people were hospitalized following a multi-vehicle crash on Route 9 in Keene on Sunday morning. The Keene Fire Department responded to the scene on Route 9 west at the Westmoreland town line around 10:30 a.m. The collision involved a minivan, a car, and a motorcycle. Firefighters reported that two vehicles collided head-on, trapping one person inside. Crews worked to free the driver, and a total of seven individuals were transported to the hospital, one by helicopter. All were conscious and breathing at the time of transport. Police are investigating the cause of the crash, with speed potentially being a factor.
Safety Reminders for Hikers
New Hampshire Fish and Game officials urge hikers to exercise caution and be well-prepared before venturing out. They strongly recommend carrying the "10 Essentials," which include:
- Extra layers of clothing
- Sun protection
- Food
- Water
- Light sources
- First aid supplies
- Emergency shelter
- Repair kits
- Navigation systems
- Lighters
These essentials should be brought even on shorter hikes. Hikers can find more information on the Hike Safe website.