DEC forest rangers and other first responders rescue a hiker with an unstable leg injury in the town of Shandaken in the Catskills on Saturday, Dec. 13. During the call, a firefighter suffered cardiac arrest and later died. The injured hiker was taken to the hospital and was discharged early the next day, according to the DEC. (Provided photo — state Department of Environmental Conservation)

Forest Rangers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to two calls in the Adirondacks over the past two weeks, one rescue after a moored sailboat became stuck in ice and another search that resulted in the recovery of a person found dead in the woods near the ranger school in St. Lawrence County.

In the Catskills, a firefighter died from a medical emergency while he was participating in a wilderness search with DEC forest rangers.

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Firefighter dies in Catskills wilderness search

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SHANDAKEN — Ulster County 911 received an SOS message from a subject with an unstable lower leg injury on Panther Mountain at 5:44 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Forest Rangers John Franceschina and Erich Horn responded shortly after the Phoenicia Volunteer Fire Department. The firefighters had already packaged the 20-year-old from New Jersey and began walking down the trail. Moments before the two rangers arrived, one of the other rescuers, Fire Commissioner Michael Ryan, had a medical emergency and went into cardiac arrest.

Rangers immediately began CPR. Due to the steep and technical terrain, rangers, firefighters and Shandaken Police quickly extracted the commissioner down the trail to meet Shandaken paramedics, who used an automated external defibrillator. Paramedics continued using the AED while rescuers carried him to an ambulance. Ryan later died at Margaretville Hospital.

Horn remained with the original subject, splinted the ankle and created a hypo wrap while waiting for forest rangers Joseph Pries and John Rusher IV. Rangers, along with Phoenicia and Olive volunteer firefighters, belayed the subject down a steep section of the trail and transferred them to an ambulance, which transported them to the hospital. Resources were clear of the scene at 8:30 p.m. They remained at the hospital until 12:15 a.m.

DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton released a statement regarding Ryan’s death.

“I join our DEC Forest Rangers and the entire state of New York in mourning the loss of Phoenicia Fire District Commissioner and Firefighter Michael Ryan,” she said. “A proven hero, Firefighter Ryan responded to a call on December 13 to assist DEC Forest Rangers in a hiker rescue on the Fox Hollow Trail in the town of Shandaken, Ulster County, and suffered a significant medical emergency during the response.

“Local, volunteer-led fire departments provide substantial support to DEC Forest Rangers in the noble work to protect public safety. Firefighter Ryan exemplified leadership in his role in protecting his community and his partnership with DEC. We offer our heartfelt sympathies and gratitude to Firefighter Ryan’s family, fellow firefighters, community and all who loved him.”

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Person found dead near ranger school

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WANAKENA — New York State Police requested forest ranger assistance with the search for a missing subject who may have entered the property of the SUNY ESF Ranger School at 1:04 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11. The 41-year-old from Star Lake was involved in a one-car crash on state Route 3 two days earlier. When State Police arrived, the car was unoccupied.

Rangers, State Police, the Star Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the Cranberry Lake Volunteer Fire Department all participated in the search. At 4:17 p.m., a search team led by Forest Ranger Nathan Shea found the subject’s windbreaker and then located the subject deceased on school property. Rangers turned him over to the St. Lawrence County Coroner. Resources were clear at 7:15 p.m. State Police is handling the investigation.

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Ice rescue on Champlain

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CROWN POINT — The Essex County Sheriff’s Office requested forest ranger assistance with an ice rescue on Lake Champlain at 6:25 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10. A 33-year-old from Montreal was living on a moored sailboat. The cold weather caused ice to form, locking the boat in place more than a mile from shore. Rangers Perryman, Quinn and Thompson used an airboat and broke the ice on the way to create a path to the sailboat. Rangers helped the subject onto the airboat and transported them to shore. Resources were clear at 10 p.m.