Town of Watson
Lewis County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 14 at 1 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to the Otter Creek horse trails in the Independence Wild Forest after receiving reports of a subject who was thrown from her horse, suffering a possible spine injury.

Martinsburg Fire Department arrived on scene and secured the 32-year-old from Clarence Center to a back board.

Ranger Evans arrived with a six-wheeler and customized litter carrier to transport the patient to a waiting Lewis County Search and Rescue ambulance. Resources were clear by 1:45 p.m.

Ranger Evans secures subject to customized six-wheeler. DEC photo.

Town of Duane
Franklin County
Wilderness Recovery: On Sept. 14 at 4:18 p.m., New York State Police requested Forest Ranger assistance with locating an emotionally distressed subject reported missing by family. Ranger Balerno found the subject’s car at Debar Pond at 5:50 p.m. At 8:50 p.m., Ranger Curcio located the 37-year-old from Owls Head, deceased. The subject was turned over to the county coroner. Rangers Lewis and Praczkajlo and several retired Rangers assisted in the search. Resources were clear at 10:30 p.m.

Town of Watson
Lewis County
Suicide Attempt: On Sept. 15 at 12:34 p.m., Ranger Hanno responded to a call for an attempted suicide at a home in the town of Watson. Ranger Hanno found the 63-year-old subject and assisted until Lewis County Search and Rescue paramedics arrived. The patient was taken to the hospital. Resources were clear by 1 p.m.

If you or someone you know is in need of mental health assistance, help is available. The New York State Office of Mental Health has resources on its website or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 17 at 6 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker in medical distress on the summit of Basin Mountain. Ranger Lewis made contact with the group of hikers with a subject who has a history of cardiac issues and was lethargic, vomiting uncontrollably, and unable to move on his own. Ranger Lewis requested New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation for a hoist rescue. The helicopter launched from Lake Clear with Ranger O’Connor serving as crew chief. Ranger Lewis was hoisted to the 70-year-old from Quebec and packaged him in a harness so Ranger O’Connor could successfully hoist the subject into the helicopter. The hiker went to Adirondack Medical Center for treatment and was released. Resources were clear at 1 a.m.

Basin Mountain hoist rescue. DEC photo.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information, and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.

If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.