Injured 17-Year-Old Rescued Overnight on Old Bridle Path in Franconia

October 27, 2025 — by Scanner Alerts Media

FRANCONIA, N.H. — Conservation Officers with New Hampshire Fish and Game, working alongside volunteers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team, rescued an injured hiker from the Old Bridle Path late Saturday night into early Sunday.

According to officials, at 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, Conservation Officers were notified of a hiker who had suffered a leg injury after slipping on a wet section of trail, leaving him unable to continue without assistance. Responders mobilized to the trailhead in Franconia to begin an overnight carryout.

By 11:00 p.m., the first rescuers started up the Old Bridle Path. They reached the injured hiker at 11:45 p.m., approximately 1.7 miles from the trailhead. After initial assessment and packaging, the rescue team began moving down the trail shortly after midnight, using a litter outfitted with a rescue wheel to speed transport over uneven terrain.

Officials report that more than 20 rescuers took part in the operation. Conditions on the upper sections of the trail included snow at higher elevations, which made footing slippery. Despite the conditions, the rescue progressed steadily and the team arrived back at the trailhead at 1:25 a.m.

The injured hiker is described as a 17-year-old from Sudbury, Massachusetts. He was met by family at the trailhead and taken for evaluation of the leg injury. No further medical details were released.

Following the incident, New Hampshire Fish and Game urged hikers to be prepared as seasonal conditions change in the White Mountains. Officials noted that days are getting shorter and snow and ice can be encountered at any time. Recommended basics include a dependable light source, proper footwear and clothing, and carrying the 10 Essentials even on day hikes.

This article summarizes the agency’s timeline and findings: the evening report of an injury; the response by Conservation Officers and Pemi Valley Search and Rescue; contact with the hiker at 1.7 miles; a wheeled litter carryout beginning after midnight; arrival at the trailhead at 1:25 a.m.; and subsequent family transport for evaluation. The agency’s advisory emphasizes standard preparation measures for hikers during fall and early winter conditions.

Credit: New Hampshire Fish and Game