Mahwah Responders Climb Mountain To Save Heart Attack Victim

MAHWAH, N.J. -- Emergency responders went more than a mile through the woods and up steep terrain in the Ramapo Reservation in Mahwah to rescue a 64-year-old hiker who suffered an apparent heart attack.

Firefighters from Mahwah Res1cue and RS-1, using rope and a Stokes basket, carried the victim down the mountain to an ambulance, which took him to the hospital.
Photo Credit: *Contributed photo*

"Because of the terrain and distance it took over one hour to remove the victim form the mountain," Police Chief James Batelli told Daily Voice.
Photo Credit: *Contributed photo*

The elevation at which the hiker was found.
Photo Credit: *Contributed photo*

Jerry DeMarco

09/24/2015 5:30 p.m.

Dispatchers received the call at 12:42 p.m. that the hiker was having trouble breathing, Police Chief James Batelli told Daily Voice.

Plotting the cellphone signal, Police Officers Kevin Tielemans and Daniel Stewart hiked their way to the victim beyond "Hawk's Point" and began to administer first aid, the chief said.

"Bergen County Park personnel transported paramedics and Mahwah EMS members to the scene where they took over," Batelli said.

Firefighters from Mahwah Res1cue and RS-1, using rope and a Stokes basket, carried the victim down the mountain to an ambulance, which took him to the hospital.

"At the time of the transport his vital signs were stable," the chief said.

"Because of the terrain and distance it took over one hour to remove the victim form the mountain," he noted.

"Hikers are reminded of the importance of bringing a fully charged cell phone when going hiking and to always hike with at least one other individual in the event an emergency arises," Batelli added.

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