Injuries are bound to happen when hiking, whether it’s a broken leg or a bruised knee. On the Welch-Dickey trail in Thornton, New Hampshire multiple hikers have experienced major leg injuries during the first week of October, 2025. These hikers are over the age of 45 and had to be rescued. These injuries resulted in a trip to the hospital as well.
Hiker Sharon Christianson suffered a leg injury and was unable to complete the hike with her husband. Sharon and her husband called 911 at around 5:02 p.m on October 1st, and New Hampshire Fire and Game were alerted, according to the NH Fish and Game website. Sharon was carried by volunteers of the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team and the Campton-Thornton and Waterville Valley Fire Departments 2.2 miles back to the trailhead.
Sharon was transported to Littleton Regional Hospital where she was able to be treated. New Hampshire Fish and Game writes, “They were well prepared for a day hike with extra food, water, and clothing.” Hiking has unexpected turns, no matter how often a person hikes, they cannot prepare for every injury. The trail should be researched especially if someone, like Sharon, is from an area unlike New England.
Another hiker injured on the same trail had to be rescued due to a leg injury. William Rose was 1.2 miles from the trailhead and his first rescuers found him at 7:10 p.m. on October 7th. By the time the rescue was finished, it was only a little bit past 9 pm, showing their fast rescue. New Hampshire Fish and Game writes, “Aided by the use of a rescue wheel that attaches to the litter the team made good time to the trailhead, arriving at 9:10 p.m.”
William was transported to Speare Memorial Hospital to be treated. The hikers had good resources to call and receive help in a quick manner which is why New Hampshire Fish and Game urges hikers to always be prepared, even for a short day hike. They have resources on their website to learn what is necessary to be well-equipped for hiking. They also want people to use caution while hiking.
