Weston firefighters walked a lost hiker out of Devil's Den
Police and firefighters searched steep ground at Devil's Den Preserve after dispatch lost contact with the caller. Crews found the hiker and walked them out in under an hour.
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On Thursday, Weston police and firefighters were sent to Devil's Den Preserve at 3:42 p.m. after a report of a lost hiker, Patch reported. The Weston Emergency Communications Center worked out an approximate location, then lost contact with the caller. A command post brought together Weston police, the fire department, and a representative from The Nature Conservancy.
The last reported spot was on steep ground, so firefighters went in on foot. They found the hiker and walked them out of the preserve by 4:30 p.m., without incident. The trucks were back in service by 4:49 p.m. The volunteer fire department later reminded hikers that the days are getting shorter: check the sunset, leave with a charged phone, dress for the weather, stay on marked trails, and tell someone the route and when you expect to be back.
For the classroom
A hiker got lost at Devil's Den Preserve in Weston, Connecticut. Police and firefighters were called at 3:42 in the afternoon. Dispatchers worked out about where the hiker was, and then the call dropped. The last reported spot was on steep ground, so the firefighters walked in on foot. They found the hiker and walked that person out by 4:30. The department said the rescue ended without a problem. Firefighters later reminded hikers to check the sunset, charge a phone, stay on marked trails, and tell someone the plan and when they expect to be back.
- Why did the firefighters walk in instead of driving to the hiker?
- What are two things a hiker can do before leaving so a search is easier?
- How do you think the hiker felt when the firefighters arrived?
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