Hiker helped out of woods near Wild River – NH Fish and Game Department

CONTACT:
Conservation Officer Matthew Holmes
603-788-4850
603-271-3361
May 29, 2024

Bean Purchase, NH – On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, a New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game conservation officer and volunteer worked to help a lost and tired hiker out of the Wild River area of ​​the White Mountain National Forest .

Around 9:45 a.m., Conservation Officer Matthew Holmes received a call from New Hampshire State Police Dispatch F that 911 was texting a lost hiker near the Highwater Trail in Bean's Purchase. Following the call, the officer learned that Thomas Damiano, 81, of Homosassa, Florida, was having difficulty locating the trail. Hours of “bush” trying to follow the trail had also tired the hiker. Additionally, overnight rains had swollen the Wild River, making crossing it alone a risky proposition. Considering all the factors at play, Commander Holmes went to the scene with a volunteer to help Damiano.

Using an ATV, the rescue team was able to travel 5 miles of destroyed road to reach the area adjacent to Damiano's location. Once in the area, rescuers walked overland and forded the Wild River. Damiano was near the bank at 12:30 p.m., tired but in good spirits.

With help, Damiano was able to cross Wild River and walk through the woods to the waiting ATV. He was carried out of the woods and driven back to Gorham, New Hampshire, where he arrived safely with his wife around 3 p.m.

Damiano proved to be a very experienced hiker, prepared with good equipment and in good physical condition. He had been in the woods for 4 days at the time of the incident, enjoying his time exploring the trails on the east side of Mount Moriah. By the time of the call, he had turned around and spent a lot of energy following trails obscured by washouts and severe weather. When he knew his personal limits had been reached, he called for help instead of putting himself in a bad situation.