Officials identify New Bedford and Haverhill lost men rescued in dangerously frigid and snowy conditions

Details have been released, and two Massachusetts men have been identified after hikers had to be rescued in dangerously frigid and snowy conditions.

According to officials, on Friday, at 9:45 p.m., Conservation Officers with New Hampshire Fish and Game were made aware of two hikers who had lost the trail as they descended from the summit of Mount Lafayette on the Greenleaf Trail. One of the hikers had injured themselves in a fall and claimed that he could not continue due to a lower leg injury. They were still above tree line and were exposed to heavy winds, temperatures around ten degrees and waist deep snow. The two hikers lost their composure and would not listen to any advice being given to them. A rescue party comprised of Conservation Officers and volunteers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team was assembled and started the nearly four-mile slog at 11:25 p.m.

Periodic calls were made by the distressed hikers, and one was suffering from severe hypothermia and was in and out of consciousness. A call was made to the Army National Guard to determine the feasibility of a helicopter rescue. A crew assembled in Concord and arrived in Franconia Notch at around 2:30 a.m. but were unable to get to the two hikers because of cloud cover at around 3700 feet in elevation. At 2:45 a.m. the first rescue team arrived on site with the two hikers. They were able to get them warmed up and provide additional clothing and by 3:00 a.m. they had started back to the Greenleaf Trail. The earlier reported leg injury was not as significant as had been reported. By 5:30 a.m. the rescue party arrived at the trailhead and the Army National Guard Helicopter returned to Concord when it was learned that they would be able to hike out with assistance.

The two hikers were identified as 35-year-old Shane Squires of New Bedford, MA and 41-year-old Robert Conlon of Haverhill, MA. They were able to drive themselves to a hospital and were treated for frostbite. New Hampshire Fish and Game stated that the pair were ill equipped for a hike of this magnitude and had departed for a nearly nine-mile loop at 1:00 p.m. They lacked appropriate clothing for a hike in the weather conditions they encountered and were navigating with a phone when they lost the trail.

New Hampshire Fish and Game released the following statement:

“Even though winter technically begins December 21st, a drive up I-93 into the White Mountains will quickly show that winter conditions have arrived. If hikers can not adhere to the hiker responsibility code as set forth by the hikeSafe program then they should consider staying home. Rescues of this magnitude and conditions put rescue personnel at great risk.”