The NH Fish and Game Department had a busy weekend and AVSAR, among other agencies, were deployed to help. Several eager volunteers jumped on these requests, ready to “save lives and lessen suffering” as we are known to do. On this past weekend (8/16-8/17, 2025), AVSAR received two call-outs (almost three). An official NHF&G summary of each operation AVSAR was involved in follows…
Aug. 16, 2025: Injured Hiker Rescued from Crawford Path
Bean’s Grant, NH – On Saturday, August 16 at 3:27 p.m., the NH Fish and Game Department was notified of a hiker who had reportedly slipped and fallen between 50–100 feet down Mount Pierce near a scenic overlook. Conservation Officer’s responded to the trailhead and began hiking up to assess the situation. Conservation Officers located the injured hiker who was identified as Meghan Mason, of Braintree, MA.
Mason was 0.6 miles up Crawford Path and on a spur trail. Due to her precarious location and rugged terrain, rescuers from the Mountain Rescue Service (MRS), Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team (AVSAR), and Twin Mountain Fire and Rescue were called to assist. Volunteers were able to carry Mason down to the trailhead and an awaiting Twin Mountain Ambulance, arriving at 7:10 p.m. —NHF&G
Read full NHF&G press release »
Aug. 17, 2025: Hiker Suffering from Unknown Medical Condition Rescued from the Perch Shelter
Low & Burbank’s Grant, NH – On Sunday morning, August 17, 2025, at approximately 8:30 a.m., NH Fish and Game was notified of a hiker suffering from a medical incident at the RMC Perch shelter. The condition was concerning enough to warrant a call to the National Guard for a helicopter extract. The Perch shelter is 3.6 miles from the closest road, and the time it would take to hike crews up, place the victim in a litter, and carry him back down would have been a multi-hour effort.
An Army National Guard helicopter arrived on station at 12:00 p.m. The helicopter lowered a paramedic who provided immediate treatment and secured the patient in a litter. The patient, the patient’s father, who is a medical doctor, and the paramedic were all safely hoisted into the helicopter. They were then flown to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin.
Due to the increasing cloud cover that might have prevented a helicopter evacuation, Conservation Officers had started hiking up earlier, and a call was made for volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue (AVSAR). —NHF&G
Read full NHF&G press release »