Hiker with knee injury rescued from Abol Trail

BAXTER STATE PARK — A 47-year-old woman (Baxter State Park does not release the names of injured parties) was rescued by a Maine Forest Service helicopter off the Abol Trail on Katahdin at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Monday, July 30. She was transported to Millinocket Regional Hospital by the Millinocket Fire Department after a short transport to Caribou Pit in the south end of the park.

The woman called 911 late the night before with a debilitating knee injury and severe exhaustion. Two Baxter Park Rangers were the first to respond to the rescue call at approximately 2:30 a.m. on July 30.

The contribution of the Maine Forest Service helicopter and skilled staff Lincoln Mazzei, Chris Blackie and Ben Goodwin were critical to the successful rescue. The ability of helicopters to lift an individual out of tricky terrain to a transportable location can significantly reduce the time to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the wilderness.

Baxter State Park Director Eben Sypitkowski praised the cooperative effort between park staff, the Maine Forest Service and the Millinocket Fire Department in the efficient coordination of efforts to complete a successful rescue.