Connecticut Hikers Rescued from Hypothermia
Two hikers were rescued from Ragged Mountain in Southington after suffering hypothermia and a diabetic emergency. First responders braved 4-foot snow drifts and steep terrain to reach the stranded hikers. The rescue serves as a reminder of winter hiking dangers as harsh conditions persist across New England.
- The rescue operation took approximately three and a half hours after crews were dispatched around 6:11 p.m. on Saturday. - Responders from several area fire departments used GPS coordinates to find the hikers. - The rescue was complex, requiring the use of utility task vehicles, ropes, a snowmobile, and a warming fire to safely evacuate the hikers. - Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature drops below 95°F, leading to symptoms like confusion, shivering, drowsiness, and a weak pulse. - Deep snow, as experienced by the rescuers, can conceal trail markers and create treacherous footing, significantly increasing the difficulty and danger of a hike. - Experts advise winter hikers in New England to dress in non-cotton layers, carry extra food and water, and bring emergency gear like a headlamp, map, and compass. - This is not the first rescue at Ragged Mountain; in February 2022, a climber was rescued after falling 15 feet onto jagged rocks.
