CONTACT:
Conservation Officer Sgt. Matthew Holmes
603-788-4850
603-271-3361
September 16, 2026

Sargent’s Purchase, NH – On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers responded to Mt. Washington to assist an injured hiker who was attempting to self-rescue on the Crawford Path.

At approximately 3:15p.m., an unrelated hiker called 911 to report that an injured man was making his way up the Crawford Path between the Lakes of the Clouds and the summit. The hiker put the man on the phone, and he advised that he had fallen and dislocated a shoulder and injured his back. The man said that it was his intention to try to make his way to the summit and then figure out his options from there. Officers advised the man to stick to that plan, and that they would respond to ensure that he made it out safely.

At approximately 5:00 p.m., two officers arrived at the summit of Mt. Washington and hiked approximately a third of a mile down Crawford Path to meet the injured hiker who was identified as 61-year-old Connecticut resident Kurt Siuzdak. Suizdak continued to hike slowly and was flanked by the officers to help ensure that he didn’t fall.

Slowly but surely, Suizdak made his way to the summit, arriving there safely under his own power at 5:30 p.m. Once at the summit, Suizdak was driven by an officer to the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road where he was assessed by Gorham EMS. Suizdak had been able to relocate his shoulder and advised that he would like to get back to his vehicle and drive himself to an Urgent Care facility. After being checked by EMS personnel, Suizdak was given a ride back to his vehicle, which was located at the Cog Railway.

It was learned by Conservation Officers that Suizdak had planned his hike and had started up the Ammonoousuc Ravine Trail at 4:00 a.m. that morning. At approximately 10:00 a.m., he had slipped and fallen on a portion of the trail that contains wet granite slabs a short distance below the Lakes of the Clouds. Suizdak also advised that he had looked at some of the recommendations on New Hampshire Fish and Game’s website, and after doing so decided to pack some extra gear, including additional warm clothing and a first aid kit. These items turned out to be much needed after his accident, and he was thankful that he had heeded the recommendations.