Forest Rangers Rescue Severely Injured 78-Year-Old From Mountain In Region

A hiker on a mountain in the region who may have broken their pelvis in a fall was rescued by forest rangers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The rescue.
Photo Credit: *Department of Environmental Conservation*

Kathy Reakes

10/17/2024 12:30 p.m.

The incident occurred in Ulster County at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, on Overlook Moutain in the Echo Lake area in Woodstock.

According to the DEC, Ulster County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance for an injured hiker on Overlook Mountain in the area of Echo Lake. Rangers called the hiker’s daughter and learned the 78-year-old from France was unable to walk or even sit up.

Rangers Franceschina and Martin joined Woodstock Fire and a Woodstock paramedic and found the person at 4 p.m.

The paramedic suspected the subject had a fractured pelvis. New York State Police Aviation pilots were called in to help perform a hoist rescue, DEC said.

Rangers, fire department personnel, and the Catskill Center Steward located and carried the patient to a site 300 feet uphill that would work as a hoist location.

Ranger Cowart lowered Ranger Rusher, who helped package the injured hiker and successfully hoisted the hiker into the helicopter. They then flew to the hospital for treatment.

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