Hiker flown to Westchester Medical Center
By Michael Turton
An injured hiker was airlifted from Breakneck Ridge on Tuesday (Oct. 9) after apparently injuring his shoulder.
The call for assistance came at about 1:30 p.m., said Cold Spring Fire Chief Steve Smith. A 38-year-old male, hiking alone, complained of shoulder pain after pulling himself up a steep portion of the white trail just below “the flag,” a Breakneck landmark.
By the time state park police officers reached the man, he complained of headache, back pain and nausea. “We thought we might be dealing with a spinal injury,” Smith said.
A call went to the New York State Police, who dispatched at 3:30 p.m. After a quick stop for equipment at Stewart International Airport, the flight continued to Mayor’s Park in Cold Spring, where a paramedic from Putnam County Emergency Medical Services, EM Star Ambulance, boarded the helicopter.
First responders hoisted the hiker to the helicopter as it hovered above. He was flown to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. Smith did not know the hiker’s identity and had received no reports regarding his condition.
Other first responders involved in the incident included North Highlands Fire Company and Philipstown Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Cold Spring Fire Company logged off at 6:30 p.m., five hours after the initial call.
“The mountain has been pretty quiet for us lately,” Smith said. “But, the leaf season is just beginning.”