Forest Rangers Assist in Vehicle Rescue and Stranded Hikers in Schoharie County

SCHOHARIE COUNTY, N.Y. – New York State Forest Rangers were called into action twice this past week, responding to both a dramatic vehicle accident and stranded hikers in hazardous conditions.

On February 14, Forest Ranger France responded to a severe accident on State Route 30, where a pickup truck lost control, flipped off a bridge, and landed in a small creek. One of the occupants managed to escape the wreckage on their own, while the second remained trapped. Ranger France and a New York State Police Trooper assisted Schoharie County Paramedics in securing the first patient onto a backboard before carrying them up to an ambulance.

Emergency crews, including the Middleburgh Fire Department, worked to extricate the second occupant and transport them to a second ambulance. The operation also involved traffic control and the removal of the wrecked truck from the creek.

Just days later, on February 17, Rangers Commerford, Fox, and Peterson responded to an emergency call at Kaaterskill Falls, where two hikers found themselves stranded on ice at the lower falls. The hikers, unfamiliar with the area, lacked proper lighting, winter gear, or traction devices for their boots, putting them in a dangerous situation. Upon reaching them, Rangers provided traction devices and headlamps, guiding them safely back to their vehicle while educating them on winter hiking essentials.

Officials urge all outdoor enthusiasts to be prepared before venturing into the wilderness. For more information on hiking safety and essentials, visit Hike Smart NY.

For more details on these and other recent Forest Ranger rescues, check out the DEC Forest Rangers - Week in Review.