Jul. 3—Acadia National Park is reminding visitors to use caution after park rangers responded to three emergencies, including two fatalities, in the days leading up to a Fourth of July holiday weekend that’s expected to be busy.
In a news release Thursday afternoon, Acadia spokesperson Amanda Pollock detailed the three incidents and recommended that park visitors take safety precautions when they visit.
On June 23, a 20-year-old man fell about 20 feet off the south wall of the Champlain Mountain climbing area and was injured.
“When park rangers arrived on scene, Bar Harbor Fire Department ambulance was preparing to transport the patient, who had been carried to the Park Loop Road by a group of other climbers,” the park said in a written statement.
Two days later, park rangers and emergency services responded to a report of a man who had collapsed and hit his head near the summit of Cedar Swamp Mountain. When first responders arrived, the man was not breathing and had no pulse, according to the statement. Life Flight of Maine took the man to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, but he later died from his injuries.
Park rangers also assisted Maine Marine Patrol officers early Monday morning after a sailboat ran aground on Isle au Haut, where the body of a Canadian man was recovered on shore.
“Any fatality in the park is devastating, but having three major incidents in the park this close together is hard to fathom,” Park Superintendent Kevin Schneider said in a statement. “I’m proud of our park rangers who responded to these terrible incidents and worked tirelessly (to) support the victims and their families as the incidents unfolded.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those impacted by these terrible tragedies.”
For safety information, including trail hazards, closures and recommended hiking equipment, visitors can go to Acadia’s website.
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