SARGENT’S PURCHASE – A Maine man died after suffering an unknown medical condition while hiking up the Lion Head Trail in Sargent’s Purchase on Saturday morning, N.H. Fish and Game said.
Rolf Diamon, 66, of Windham, Maine, was hiking up the Lion Head Trail with his son when he started to feel ill, according to officials.
The pair was about 2½ miles from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and a quarter mile up the Lion Head Trail from the junction of Tuckerman Ravine Trail. The father and son decided to turn around and start going down due to Diamon’s condition when he suddenly collapsed.
CPR was started immediately by Diamon’s son and other hikers who had come upon the scene. A call for help was made and rescue personnel from Fish and Game, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, Appalachian Mountain Club and Gorham Ambulance responded.
Air support was requested from the National Guard unit from Concord. A Black Hawk helicopter took Diamon from the mountain by hoisting him up into the aircraft using a winch; a manuever which did not require a landing.