CONTACT:
Conservation Officer Sgt. Matthew Holmes
603-788-4850
603-271-3361
September 8, 2026
Sargent’s Purchase, NH – On Sunday, September 6, 2026, a group of rescuers responded to Mt. Washington to assist a man suffering from an unknown medical condition.
Shortly after 4:00 p.m., New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers received word that a 29-year-old man was at the Lakes of the Clouds AMC Hut and experiencing symptoms that were concerning. Based on the available information, a small team comprised of Conservation Officers and members of the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team (AVSAR) responded to attempt a walk out with assist for the young man.
The rescue team ultimately hiked down to the hut from the summit of Mt. Washington and made contact with the patient around 7:30 p.m. The man was evaluated and agreed that it would be best to try and hike slowly back to the summit of Mt. Washington to get a ride to the hospital.
The initial rescue team moved slowly but steadily up Crawford Path until shortly after 9:00 p.m. At this point, the patient’s condition changed and he began experiencing new symptoms. Out of an abundance of caution, additional rescuers were called in to help carry the patient the remaining 0.9 miles to the summit. While waiting for additional personnel to arrive, the initial rescue team sheltered in place to protect the patient from the 37°F temperatures and fog driven by 50 mph winds.
Shortly before midnight, a larger team consisting of more AVSAR personnel and Conservation Officers began carrying the patient up the mountain. Working steadily, the rescue party arrived safely at the summit at 2:00 a.m. on the morning of September 7. The patient was ultimately placed in a vehicle and driven to the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road where he met a waiting Gorham Ambulance. He was then taken immediately to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for further evaluation.
The patient was identified at Vikram Pasumarti of Washington, DC. Pasumarti and his family were very grateful for the help and repeatedly thanked rescuers in the aftermath of this situation.