Injured Hiker Rescued From Icy Cliff In Connecticut

An injured hiker was rescued from an icy cliff in Connecticut on Thursday, lowered to the ground in a high-angle rope rescue, officials said.

The Southington Fire Department said it responded to a report of an injured hiker near the Wassel Reservoir off of Caretaker Road at around 12:35 p.m. Thursday. Southington Police also responded to the scene with a drone to provide assistance.

After getting the hiker’s coordinates from 911 dispatch, firefighters hiked a “steep” cliff to the topside trail, where they located the victim on an icy ridgeline adjacent to the reservoir. The hiker had a lower leg injury, and fire personnel provided medical car before securing the victim in a rescue basket.

Rescuers coordinated a high-angle rope evacuation over the cliff face. The victim was lowered to the ground, along with a firefighter, from the top of the cliff.

Photos shared by the fire department show rescuers lowering the hiker over the steep drop of the cliff.

The hiker was then transferred to a waiting ambulance, and was transported to New Britain General Hospital for treatment.

The fire department said its ability to carry out the rescue was the result of a 2019 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for technical rope rescue training, along with a generous donation from the Ragged Mountain Foundation that paid for specialty equipment.