A 24-year-old man from Sainte-Foy, Quebec City, was rescued on Saturday after falling 15 metres (50 feet) from a trail on Mount Washington in the United States.
Thomas Charland suffered “serious injuries,” but his life is not considered to be in danger, authorities note.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department says it received a call at 12:30 p.m. about an injured hiker on the Huntington Ravine Trail.
“The incident occurred on the steep slab on the upper reaches of the ravine,” the department explains. “The caller reported that a male hiker fell approximately 50 feet, resulting in serious injuries.”
Due to the difficult terrain, a helicopter and several reinforcements were called in.
“The National Guard was able to quickly assemble a crew and flew up from Concord, arriving at 2:55 p.m.,” authorities state. “They were able to hoist down their paramedic, who provided initial treatment to the hiker and got him into a litter.”
Charland was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Centre in Lebanon, Penn.
“He had been hiking with three other companions and is very lucky to have survived the fall he took,” the department said, adding that there have been multiple rescue calls for the Huntington Ravine Trail so far this season.
“Huntington Ravine Trail is not a trail for everyday hikers or people who are not prepared with ropes, climbing gear and proper footwear,” officials stress. “The upper section is a dangerous cliff climb and should not be listed as a ‘hiking’ trail.”
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department adds that its search-and-rescue volunteers have responded to dozens of stranded or injured hikers over the years, despite warning signs at both ends of the trail.
