Three rescuers suffer heat-related illness after rescuing injured hiker on Appalachian Trail

KENT – An injured hiker was rescued from a rugged section of the Appalachian Trail on Thursday, July 9, but the extreme heat took a toll on rescuers as well, leaving three first responders with heat-related illnesses. All four individuals were in stable condition Friday morning.

The hiker, who was hiking with at least one other person, was found to be dehydrated and suffering from heat-related illness on a section of the trail between the Schaghticoke campsite and Mount Algo campsite. The rescue drew about 75 emergency responders from Connecticut and New York. Responders were dispatched at 12:30 p.m. after a 911 call was placed, and crews wrapped up the scene around 7:30 p.m.

Kent Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tim Sneller said the injured hiker was rescued on “steep and rocky” terrain about two miles from the nearest road access.

“I think this is the roughest part of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut,” Sneller said. He added that this was the second trail rescue his team had performed this year, but the terrain and weather conditions made the effort on Thursday afternoon especially complicated, with high temperatures in the low 90s and a high humidity index.

Two first responders were treated on scene, he said, while the third was hospitalized but later released.

“I spoke to him and he’s doing well,” Sneller said.

The KVFD was aided in the rescue by teams from the Gaylordsville Volunteer Fire Department, Sherman Volunteer Fire Department, Warren Volunteer Fire Company Inc., Sharon Fire Department Inc and Sharon Ambulance, New Milford’s Water Witch Hose Co. No. 2, Roxbury Fire and EMS, Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, Bantam Fire Company, County Coordinator, Northwell Medic Nos. 4 and 5, Washington Volunteer Fire Department. J.H. Ketcham Hose Company, Amenia Fire Company and Empress Medic.

Some of the responding crews were dispatched as backup after several firefighters began experiencing heat illness and had to be removed from the rescue effort and treated.

Sneller advised any who go hiking during the hot summer months to “bring plenty of fluids and a charged phone.” In an emergency, “call us sooner rather than later,” he said.