Schenectady Hiker Refuses to Move After Fall On Mount Marcy

A Capital Region hiker becomes hypothermic after falling and refusing to move. The individual was eventually rescued and returned to safety. Here's what we know.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) a hiker from Schenectady texted 911 to alert officers they had fallen while hiking Mount Marcy in Essex County. After the fall the victim was freezing, in a state of shock, and refused to move.

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On Tuesday October 20th at approximately 4:10pm, Essex County received the 911 text indicating the hiker was freezing and in shock near the summit of Mount Marcy. The hiker fell, refused to move due to stress, and became hypothermic.

Forest Ranger Jeffery made phone contact and explained that if they didn’t get out of the wind, they could die from hypothermia. New York State Police Pilot Sergeant Beck flew three Rangers to the scene.

dec.ny.gov

Forest Ranger Lieutenant Praczkajlo inserted Rangers Adams and Jeffery. Rangers warmed the subject from Schenectady and hiked them down to Marcy Dam Outpost. Ranger Jeffery provided an ATV ride to their vehicle and the 6 hour incident was over.

According to WebMD, when a person experiences a traumatic event like a fall, their nervous system can become completely overwhelmed by fear, leading to an Acute Stress Reaction, which is to say, the intense emotional trauma of the fall can trigger a severe panic attack, hyperventilation, or a state of mental shock where the individual feels safer staying perfectly still, even if they are in an unsafe location.