CAMDEN — A hiker visiting from New York state was struck with debilitating pain near the highest point on Megunticook Mountain June 11, resulting in rescue teams hiking up trails to carry him out.

The call for help came in mid-afternoon  through Knox Regional Communications Center in Rockland, of a man hurt and immobilized on Adams Lookout Trail, near the summit of the 1,300-foot-high Megunticook, which is central to the Camden Hills State Park.

A Park staff member and volunteer quickly hiked up to assist, as did the five-member Camden Fire Dept. Ladder truck crew (Asst. Fire Chief Andrew Lowe, Clint Beveridge, Matt Heath, Jack Orestis and Earle Holt), heading up the Tablelands Trail to find the injured man, who had been hiking with his wife and daughter.

Another team comprising six members of the Coastal Mountains Search and Rescue volunteers and Camden Fire Chief Chris Farley hiked in to meet them from the Megunticook Trail.

A North East Mobile Health Ambulance crew waited on the multi-purpose trail near the state park campground.

The man was apparently suffering from severe calf pain, and insufficient circulation in one foot. The volunteers placed him in a carrying litter and proceeded to transport him down the Megunticook Trail to the waiting ambulance, taking turns at the litter as they moved along the steep trail.

Camden and Lincolnville fire departments are called upon periodically to rescue injured or lost hikers; with the reorganization of the Coastal Mountains Search and Rescue volunteers, another group of trained individuals is now added to the ranks of available and local organized rescue parties.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6007