New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC:
Town of Hunter, Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 22 at 4:05 p.m., Forest Ranger Peterson responded to Kaaterskill Falls for a report of a 21-year-old from Long Island who had fallen down an embankment while walking to a swimming area. Assistant Forest Ranger Massa and Ranger Peterson provided first aid for multiple cuts and bruises to the subject’s face and then walked them to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 5:04 p.m.
Town of Harrietstown, Franklin County
Water Recovery: On Aug. 22 at 6:10 p.m., a caller reported that a boater had jumped into the water from a pontoon boat in Lower Saranac Lake near Eagle Island and hadn’t been seen since. Six Forest Rangers, four Environmental Conservation Police Officers, a New York State Police (NYSP) dive team, and Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake fire departments joined the search effort.
At 12:30 a.m., searchers cleared for the night. The following morning, the NYSP dive team started using sonar. Eight Forest Rangers continued searching the shore and patrolling in boats to assist the NYSP dive team. On Aug. 24 at 11:02 a.m., NYSP divers located the 76-year-old deceased. The subject was turned over to the Franklin County Coroner.
Town of East Otto, Cattaraugus County
Wildland Fire: On Aug. 23 at 1:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a camper at East Otto State Forest about a ground fire at a camp site. Forest Rangers Christopher and Robitaille determined the 40-square-foot-fire resulted from an escaped campfire. Rangers dug a hand line around the fire and used a pump to get water from a creek to get the fire under control. By 7:22 p.m., the fire was contained.
Town of Arietta, Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 23 at 5:54 p.m., Forest Rangers O’Connell and Thompson responded to a call for a hiker who had fallen on the Echo Cliff trail near Panther Mountain. Speculator EMS was already with the 60-year-old from East Aurora. Rangers helped EMS carry the subject approximately one-half mile out to the trailhead. EMS then transported the subject to the hospital.
Town of North Elba, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 23 at 6 p.m., Forest Ranger Sabo responded to a call for a hiker who had rolled their ankle on Algonquin Mountain near the Wright Peak trail junction. At 7:10 p.m., Ranger Sabo reached the 29-year-old and their hiking partner approximately 200 yards above McIntyre Falls and splinted the hiker’s ankle before heading to another call. Forest Ranger Lieutenant DiCintio met the subjects on the trail and escorted them back to the Heart Lake campsite. Resources were clear at 2:15 a.m.
Town of North Elba, Essex County
Wilderness Recovery: On Aug. 23 at 9:13 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex County reporting an unresponsive subject at Marcy Dam. Forest Ranger Foutch spoke to the caller and instructed them to obtain an automated external defibrillator (AED) from the Outpost and follow the instructions.
Meanwhile additional Rangers responded and transported Lake Placid EMS to Marcy Dam via UTV. The 69-year-old from Wappingers Falls was pronounced dead at the scene. New York State Police are investigating.
Read past Forest Ranger search and rescue reports here.
Photo of East Otto fire provided by DEC.
Source link
