CONTACT:
Sgt. Alex Lopashanski
603-744-5470
603-271-3361
August 25, 2025
Harts Location, NH – On Saturday, August 23, 2025, shortly before 5:00 p.m., New Hampshire Fish and Game was notified that a hiker was injured on the Arethusa Falls Trail in Crawford Notch. The hiker was Kelly Graeber, 46, of Quincy, MA. Graeber was hiking with a group of nine family members. They were returning from the falls when she injured her ankle. There is no cell service in the area, and a member of the group hiked out and placed a call to 911 for help.
Along with Conservation Officers from NH Fish and Game, members of the Bartlett/Jackson Ambulance Service and Lakes Region Search and Rescue responded. Rescuers met Graeber nearly a mile from the trailhead. After a splint was applied, she was able to make slow progress down the trail. Ultimately, she was placed in a litter and carried to the trailhead. Graeber arrived back at the trailhead shortly after 7:00 p.m. and was taken by ambulance to the Memorial Hospital in North Conway for treatment.
Lakes Region Search and Rescue is a highly skilled volunteer search and rescue organization whose members work hard to maintain the skills and equipment necessary to carry out rescues across the state. Anyone can donate to LRSAR through the New Hampshire Outdoor Council at www.nhoutdoorcouncil.org. Donations are fully tax deductible. Outdoor enthusiasts are also encouraged to purchase a Hike Safe card at www.wildnh.com/safe. The card helps support Fish and Game search and rescue activities. For safe hiking tips and a list of essential gear, visit hikesafe.com.