Environment DEC
From the February 2007 issue
Rangers and Others Rescue Injured Hikers in the Adirondacks
At about 5:30 PM on Tuesday, January 16, Essex County 911 contacted DEC's Ray Brook Office about two hikers who had been injured in a fall on the Ore Bed Brook Trail between Gothic and Saddleback mountains in the High Peaks Wilderness Area of the Adirondacks. Approximately two hours earlier, Brian Merriam, 45, lost his footing on a steep section of the trail, slid down the bare rock face, hit his head and temporarily lost consciousness. One of his hiking companions, Peter Buccinna, 32, tried to assist Mr. Merriam but also fell and subsequently suffered a double fracture to his right femur.
One Hiker Eventually Recovers and Heads Home...
Fortunately, three New York City firefighters were hiking in the same area and administered first aid while Merriam's teenage son and a friend went for help. One of the firefighters assisted Mr. Merriam to the Adirondack Mountain Club's Peggy O Camp in John's Brook Valley, where Keene Valley Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel met them. The EMS team determined that Mr. Merriam had suffered a concussion and abrasions, but eventually he was deemed fit enough to walk out, and DEC Forest Rangers escorted him to the trailhead around 2:30 AM.
One of the hikers was unable to walk and had to be evacuated by helicopter
...While the Other Waits for Rescue
In the meantime, other rangers had headed to the scene of the accident to assist Mr. Buccinna, while more rangers and members of the Keene Valley Fire Department set up a command center. Although rescue personnel hoped to evacuate Mr. Buccinna by helicopter that night, the combination of darkness, cold, ice and wind was too much of a hindrance. Consequently, a half dozen rangers and an EMS technician remained with Mr. Buccinna, keeping him warm, hydrated and as comfortable as possible. During that time, the temperature dropped to a low of -23°F, NOT including the wind chill factor, which made it feel much colder.
After a frigid and somewhat sleepless night, Mr. Buccinna was loaded into a State Police helicopter the next morning and transported to the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. Later he was transferred to Albany Medical Center.
Team Effort Prevents Tragic Outcome
"This was a team effort," said Region 5 Forest Ranger Captain John Streiff. "Without the help of the three New York City firefighters, Keene Valley EMS and other local volunteers, State Police helicopter pilots and DEC Forest Rangers, this story could have ended tragically."
Forest rangers who responded to this emergency included: Incident Commander Jim Giglinto; Charlie Platt; Kevin Burns; Joe LaPierre; Kevin Bassage; Julie Harjung; Rob Praczkajlo; Glen Bronson; Chris Kostoss; Scott VanLaer; Glen Bronson, and Mark St.Claire. See the link below for more information about the High Peaks Wilderness Area where the mishap occurred, as well as safe hiking tips and information about the DEC's Region 5 forest rangers.
