HUNTER – State forest rangers
responded to two separate incidents in Hunter on Sunday afternoon in the
Kaaterskill Wild Forest area.
The first one occurred just after 1 p.m. when DEC received a call reporting that a 26-year-old woman who was hiking along the base of the upper falls at Kaaterskill Falls slipped and fell roughly 80 feet, suffering head trauma and other injuries. Nine forest rangers, assisted by several local firefighters, secured the woman and safely transported her to an awaiting helicopter, where she was airlifted to Albany Medical Center.
The woman, who was reported Monday in fair condition, was determined to be hiking on an undesignated trail.
Just after 2 p.m., Greene County 911 reported a 27-year-old man who had
been ice climbing in Platte Cove in the Dark Side area fell some 50 feet,
suffering head and back injuries. Eleven forest rangers, some of whom
had been tending to the first victim, responded and secured the man.
He was walked out with the assistance of a technical rope system and was
transported to Albany Medical Center.
Both incidents occurred roughly five miles apart and are being investigated by DEC officers.
The state urges all visitors to stay on the designated trails and observe the posted warnings and protective enclosures.
