DEC Wildland Searches, Rescues, Recoveries

2022

Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 19 at 1 p.m., Forest Rangers Martin and Sabo responded to a personal locator beacon activated for an injury report half a mile from Camp Santanoni, approximately 4.5 miles from the trailhead. The hiker’s companions were keeping her warm while waiting for help to arrive. Rangers reached the 22-year-old hiker from Maine one-half hour later and stabilized the knee injury. With the help of the Newcomb Fire Department, Rangers transported the hiker back to Camp Santonini, where she declined further medical attention.

Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 20 at 10:45 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for Ranger assistance for a 63-year-old with a hip injury. The hiker from Orangeburg was approximately three-quarters of a mile in on Cobble Lookout Trail. Forest Rangers Balerno, Black, Bode, Evans, and Lewis responded. At 11:37 a.m., Ranger Black reached the subject and assessed the injury. Rangers packaged the hiker and carried her out to Wilmington EMS who transported the subject to the hospital for treatment. Resources were clear at 1 p.m.

Village of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Recovery: On Jan. 20 at 5:36 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call for Ranger assistance from Washington County 911 after a hiker reported finding a body at the base of Shelving Rock Falls in the Lake George Wild Forest. Forest Rangers Laczko, St. Claire, Savarie, Donegan, and Kabrehl responded. At 6:44 p.m., Rangers located the subject approximately one-third of the way up the falls. Using technical rope rescue techniques, Rangers lowered the deceased subject from the ledge in a sled. From the ground, Rangers conducted a low-angle carry up the hill. Once out of the woods, the subject was turned over to the county coroner. Resources were clear at 9:12 p.m. New York State Police (NYSP) identified the hiker as 55-year-old Timothy Gillen of Peekskill.

Related Press Release from NYS Police

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on January 20, 2022, the New York State Police responded to Shelving Rock Falls in the town of Fort Ann for a report of a deceased male located at the bottom of a cliff. The victim is identified as 55-year-old Timothy J. Gillen of Peekskill. Passing hikers observed Gillen at the bottom of the cliff and contacted police. Preliminary investigation determined that Gillen had been hiking in the area died as a result of a fall. 

This case remains under investigation however, no signs of foul play were observed.

Town of Windham
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 22 at approximately 2:30 p.m., Central Dispatch contacted Ranger Fox about an exhausted and hypothermic subject on the Escarpment Trail near Burnt Knob in the town of Windham. Rangers Fox, Mitchell, and Skudlarek responded. At 6:45 p.m., Rangers reached the 24-year-old from Milford and his hiking companion approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead. The hiker was unable to walk. Ranger Mitchell built a warming fire and Rangers provided the subject with food, hot drinks, and dry gear. More resources were requested in the event the subject was unable to hike out on his own and Rangers Jackson and Martin also responded. The subject’s condition improved so Rangers provided lighter snowshoes and trekking poles and carried the hiker’s pack to help him make it back to the trailhead. The subject declined further medical care and was given a ride home by his family. Resources were clear at 8:30 p.m.

Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 22, at 7:41 p.m., Forest Ranger Scott was on patrol and encountered a subject on the Newcomb-Blue Mountain Lake snowmobile trail with symptoms of a stroke. Ranger Scott transported the 73-year-old man from Indian Lake by snowmobile to Ranger headquarters on State Route 30. Blue Mountain Lake EMS provided further medical assistance. Resources were clear at 8:10 p.m.

Town of Johnsburg
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 5 at 6:25 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Warren County requesting Forest Ranger assistance to locate a 30-year-old stranded off trail on Crane Mountain. Forest Ranger Perryman responded to the coordinates provided and reached the hiker within the hour. The hiker was in good condition, but had lost the trail with only a phone for light. Ranger Perryman provided the hiker with a headlamp and assisted her back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 7:42 p.m.

Town of Charlton
Saratoga County
Wildland Search: On Jan. 7 at 4:46 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department requesting Forest Ranger assistance with a search for a 33-year-old missing for approximately 24 hours. Two Forest Rangers responded to speak with family members. Three Rangers searched the woods with negative results. On the morning of Jan. 8, Forest Rangers were joined by members of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department Special Operations Team, New York State Police Aviation, and Charlton Police and Fire Departments. At 1:30 p.m., a Forest Ranger-led crew found the subject’s body. Responders packaged the body in a wheeled litter and turned him over to the coroner. The Sheriff’s Department is the lead agency for the investigation and does not suspect foul play.

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.

In 2021, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 426 search and rescue missions, extinguished wildfires, participated in prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate acres of land, and enforced the State Environmental Conservation Law and regulations. Some of these incidents result in injuries, property damage, or even death, so starting in 2021, the “Ranger Highlights” will be transitioning to a new title, “DEC Forest Rangers – Week In Review.”

“In the last decade, even before the pandemic, we saw more and more people experiencing the great opportunities provided by New York’s outdoors, said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Oftentimes, that means our Forest Rangers are called into action. Their knowledge of the remote wilderness and terrain makes them the most qualified in the state to help people when they need it the most. They patrol DEC lands and protect the public using their expert training in communities across the State to help everyone recreate responsibly and return home safely.”