A State Police helicopter piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Engel is seen above the Johns Brook Valley in the town of Keene on Saturday, Sept. 13. The helicopter evacuated a 74-year-old hiker who suffered a knee injury at the Slant Rock lean-to. (Provided photo — New York state Department of Environmental Conservation)

Forest rangers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to several calls throughout the North Country the past week for lost, sick and injured hikers, as well as an elderly resident with dementia who was reported missing.

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Missing person with dementia found alive

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EDWARDS — State Police requested forest ranger assistance in the search for a missing 70-year-old with dementia at 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15. The subject left their residence between noon and 3 p.m. with a dog. The dog later returned without the subject. Forest Ranger Nathan Shea led the incident command and directed Forest Ranger Audrey Emerson to search a wooded area behind the home. At the same time, a State Police K-9 unit was also searching in that area and found the subject on a rock outcropping. The patient was dehydrated, exhausted and mildly hypothermic. Volunteers provided an emergency blanket and water. At 1:45 a.m., volunteer firefighters, Emerson and State Police carried the subject in a litter out of the woods to a utility terrain vehicle that took them to an awaiting ambulance. It was unclear what the subject’s post-rescue medical status was.

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Knee injury leads to helicopter evacuation

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KEENE — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call for a hiker with a knee injury at Slant Rock lean-to in the John’s Brook Valley at 10:50 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13. Due to the remote location, State Police Aviation Pilot Paul Engel and Forest Ranger Robert Praczkajlo inserted Forest Rangers Charles Foutch and Hannah Praczkajlo at the John’s Brook Outpost landing zone, approximately two miles from the subject. At 3:20 p.m., Foutch and Hannah Praczkajlo reached the 74-year-old from Queensbury and determined a hoist rescue was necessary. Engel and Robert Praczkajlo successfully hoisted the patient into the helicopter and flew to an awaiting Keene Valley EMS ambulance. It was unclear what the subject’s post-rescue medical status was.

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Lost near cliff on Baker Mountain

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SARANAC LAKE — Forest Ranger Hannah Praczkajlo received a text from Franklin County Dispatch regarding a lost subject on Baker Mountain at 6:09 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11. DEC Dispatchers provided the 34-year-old from Rochester with a link to a map, but the hiker was unable to get back on the trail. Forest Rangers Joseph Ordway and Praczkajlo hiked to the subject’s location near a cliff and assisted them back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 7:34 p.m.

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Possible food sickness ends Cranberry 50 hike

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CRANBERRY LAKE — Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance from a 65-year-old hiker on the Cranberry 50 trail with a possible food-borne illness at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Forest Ranger Osita Ezumah responded by boat across Cranberry Lake to campsite 17. Ezumah escorted the hiker from Ballston Spa by boat and then to their vehicle in Wanakena. The hiker declined further medical attention and DEC resources were clear at 1:45 p.m.