Hiker Despondent over Life causes SAR on Slide Mtn [JUN 26]

[dave]

Wilderness Search in the town of Denning in Ulster County:

On June 26 at 6:25 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch called Forest Rangers Horn and Sweeney about a subject who planned to die by suicide. The subject told a loved one the plan was to do this after eating a last meal in Neversink. Looking at a Google search history and credit card history, Rangers determined the subject ate at a restaurant in Neversink and did a search for the Denning trailhead in the Slide Mountain Wilderness. At 7:00 p.m., Rangers Horn and Sweeney located the 31-year-old's car at the parking lot. Assistant Forest Ranger Smith reported he saw a hiker matching the subject's description on the trail approximately a mile in from the parking area. Rangers Allwine and Fox joined the search from the Slide Mountain trailhead. All four Rangers continued onto the summit of Slide Mountain. At 3:00 a.m., Rangers located the subject from New Jersey camping in a wooded area off the summit. Rangers escorted the subject to the trailhead where New York State Police took them to the hospital for a mental health evaluation. Resources were clear at 6:20 a.m.

NOTE: Depression is a serious condition and we hope that those who become despondent seek professional help. We are happy that this SAR had a happy outcome. And, we especially thank all the NYS Rangers who spent their entire night searching for them and did not give up.