Injured Hiker From Hollis Rescued After Injury On Jennings Peak

WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH – More than thirty rescuers worked to rescue an injured Hollis man from Jennings Peak in Waterville Valley Saturday.

Conservation Officers from New Hampshire Fish and Game were made aware of an injured hiker on Jennings Peak in Waterville Valley at about 1:00 p.m. A call to NH 911 reported that a 21-year-old man had fallen and injured his lower leg, preventing him from continuing without assistance.

Conservation Officers, the Waterville Valley Department of Safety members, and volunteers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team and Lakes Region Search and Rescue responded to the Drakes Brook Trailhead off Route 49 in Waterville Valley.

The first rescuers started up the trail at 2:00 PM and reached the injured hiker by 4:00 PM. At 4:25, the rescue party started carrying the injured hiker, identified as Ian Gargasz of Hollis, 3.5 miles to the trailhead, where they arrived just before 7:00 PM.

Gargasz and his hiking companions had departed from the trailhead at around 10:45 Am and had reached the summit of Jennings Peak just before 1:00 PM when the incident occurred.

Conservation Officers say the hiking party was well prepared for a day hike in the White Mountains. Gargasz was transported from the trailhead by family members for evaluation of his injury.

Please visit http://www.hikesafe.com/ for more information on safe hiking tips.