Multiple Groups Rescue Injured Appalachian Trail Hiker
MOUNT ABRAM TWP, Maine – Maine Game Wardens and approximately 35 first responders and volunteers rescued an injured Appalachian Trail hiker on Spaulding Mountain in Mount Abram Township last night, carrying him from the top of Spaulding Mountain to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, then transporting him down the ski resort mountain by vehicle.
“Without the assistance from all of the first responders and volunteers, getting Mr. Archdale off of the trail would have taken much longer. Trail conditions were wet, rocky and steep. It was a great coordinated effort by all involved to get rescuers to the top of Sugarloaf and carrying Mr. Archdale off the mountain. We have a great group of people in Franklin County to make rescue operations like this one run smooth,” said Maine Game Warden Sergeant Scott Thrasher.
UpdatedMon, Apr 5, 2021 at 4:31 pm ET
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Emergency workers found the family of five huddled together on the summit for warmth after the group lost its way descending the mountain. (Shutterstock)
FREEHOLD, NJ - A Freehold Township family was rescued this weekend from a mountain summit in Maine after becoming stranded due to weather conditions, authorities said.
Maine Warden Service and other emergency workers assisted in the Saturday night rescue of the Lantona family, which became lost at the summit of Tumbledown Mountain in Franklin County.
Don Lantona, 53, his wife Meena, 52, and their children Ashley, 22, Meaghan, 20, and Connor, 18, had reportedly climbed to the top of mountain over the weekend, but could not find the trailhead to descend back down the mountain due to snow and ice conditions, said Mark Latti, the communications director for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
A family and a hiker are safe after Maine Game Wardens and first responders executed two rescues in freezing temperatures Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Maine wardens rescue N.J. family lost on mountain; man saved after plunging into water during hike
By Charlie McKenna Globe Correspondent,Updated April 5, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
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Christopher Lebel, wrapped in a sleeping bag, walking out with assistance through the woods to a waiting ATV.Maine Game Wardens
Maine wardens conducted two rescues Saturday night, both of which officials said could have been avoided if hikers had been properly prepared for the conditions in the mountains.
The first of the two rescues came after a family of five from New Jersey called 911 at 6:46 p.m. Saturday after climbing to the top of Maineâs Tumbledown Mountain and then finding themselves unable to locate the trailhead to descend the mountain, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife spokesman Mark Latti said in a statement. Latti blamed snow and ice for the family, composed of 53-year-old Don Latona, 52-year-old Meena Latona, 18-year-old Connor Latona, 20-year-old Meaghan Lato
Weekend Rescues Prompt Winter Weather Reminder to Hikers
The Warden Service is cautioning hikers to be prepared for winter weather, after two rescues over the weekend.
One rescue involved an Appalachian Trail hiker who wardens say probably wouldn t have survived the night, due to hypothermia. 38-year-old Christopher Lebel of Phippsburg was hiking on the trail with his dog on Saturday when, about four miles into his trip, he fell into the water. Lebel changed his clothes, but wardens say he was unable to get warm. He became hypothermic with below-freezing temperatures, windy conditions, and ice and snow on the ground. Lebel texted a friend that he needed help and they called 911 just before 10:00 Saturday night.