Rhode Island Hiker Rescued From Franconia Brook Trail In New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — First responders and conservation officers were able to assist an injured out-of-state hiker off the Franconia Brook Trail in Franconia on Tuesday, according to the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department.

The Rescue Coordination Center received an SOS signal from a hiker’s Garmin inReach device about another hiker suffering from a “serious upper-body injury” around 3 p.m. on the upper portion of the trail. The injured hiker, a woman in her late 20s, could not continue without being carried. Lt. James Kneeland of Fish and Game said a caretaker from the Garfield Shelter was requested to respond and assess the injury. About an hour and 45 minutes later, they arrived and confirmed the need for a carry-out.

“The hiker was located 5.4 miles from the nearest trailhead,” he said. “Conservation officers along with volunteers from Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team responded to the Garfield Trail off Gale River Road in Bethlehem.”

The first rescuers reached the hiker, Alyssa Hewson of Woonsocket, RI, around 8 p.m. After a reassessment, it was decided she could start hiking to the trailhead with assistance. Just before 11 p.m., the rescue party and Hewson reached a waiting ATV, and she was taken down the trail. Forty minutes later, she was taken by Twin Mountain Ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital.

Hewson said the hikers were planning a two-day hike along the 32-mile Pemi Loop when they realized they would not be able to complete the hike as planned and decided to bail out at the Franconia Brook Trail. Around 3 p.m., she fell forward on a steep, wet section of the trail and fell five feet.

“As one of her companions was a paramedic,” Kneeland said, “aid was provided quickly. Hewson and her companions were very appreciative of the 30 volunteers and five conservation officers who responded to the incident.”

Kneeland said the group was “well prepared for a multi-day hike.”