July 9, 2020

MDIFW NEWS: Game Wardens Rescue Two Hikers On Black Mountain

T10 SD, Maine -- Maine Game Wardens rescued two female hikers on Black Mountain yesterday afternoon, carrying one of them down the mountain on their backs, and barely getting both down before severe thunderstorms hit the area. The stranded hikers called 911 seeking help and medical assistance. At about 3:30 yesterday afternoon, Game Wardens Camden Akins and John Carter received a call that Holly Gichel, age 41 of Augusta, and Robin Sturtevant, age 49 of Augusta, were stranded on the top of Black Mountain and needed assistance due to medical issues. Akins and Carter hiked up the mountain, and upon reach Gichel and Sturtevant realized they needed more attention than reported. They immediately called for more assistance, and knew they had hike down quickly. With thunderstorms approaching, the four of them started down the mountain, but Sturtevant began to get worse and became semi-conscious. Hearing thunder in the distance and recognizing Sturtevant need attention as soon as possible, Akins and Carter alternated carrying Sturtevant down the mountain on their backs through the pouring rain. While the wardens and ill hikers descended the mountain, Game Warden Sergeant Ralph Hosford and emergency rescue personnel from Sullivan and Gouldsboro Fire Departments carried a stokes litter down the Schoodic Beach Trail to meet them. Once the groups converged, Sturtevant was placed in the stokes litter, evaluated, carried to the ambulance and then taken by ambulance to Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth at about 7:30 p.m. last night just as the severe thunder and lightning started. No more information is available at this time.