Four New Jersey teenagers needed an overnight rescue after becoming stranded high on New Hampshire’s Franconia Ridge. Now state officials say the hikers may have to pay for the operation that brought them back down. Why?
The four 18-year-olds—identified by NBC New York as Jainam Bhavsar, Purva Jayani, Tirth Shah and Advik Yadav—started hiking at about 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 14, despite the route taking an estimated seven to nine hours to complete, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
At about 8:48 p.m., Fish and Game learned that the group was stuck on the ridge. One hiker was having difficulty breathing, while also contending with sore legs and cramps. Officials said the teens had no lights, were running low on food and water, and were not properly dressed for the conditions.
The rescue may not be the end of the ordeal for the teenagers. Fish and Game said their lack of preparation was serious enough that the state intends to bill them for the operation.
Rescuers Had to Hike Through The Night
Strong winds and cold temperatures above 5,000 feet prompted officials to launch a rescue. NBC New York reported that three of the friends had trained at the gym for the strenuous hike, while the fourth had not and began experiencing cramps as the group climbed.
Five volunteers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team and a conservation officer responded, according to Fish and Game. The volunteers left the trailhead at 10:35 p.m. and hiked more than 4.2 miles before finding the teenagers on Mount Lincoln at about 1:15 a.m.
Rescuers gave the hikers lights, food, water, and warm clothing before guiding them toward Mount Lafayette and then down to the trailhead. Fish and Game said the group finally made it back at 9:07 a.m.
Yadav said he was grateful to the rescuers who helped them. NBC New York also reported that the friend who had struggled with breathing and walking was doing well afterward and did not require medical treatment.
“You should start really early so it’s not dark when you go down,” admitted Shah, adding, “And you shouldn’t be overconfident.”
Now The Hikers Could Get The Bill
Fish and Game said it intends to bill the teenagers. CBS News reports that the Fish and Game department stated, “After speaking with the hikers, it was learned that the group did not have lights, were low on water and food, and were not properly dressed for the conditions.”
Under New Hampshire law, someone determined to have acted negligently and required a search-and-rescue response can be held responsible for the state’s reasonable rescue expenses.
Col. Kevin Jordan, who leads Fish and Game’s law-enforcement division, told The Boston Globe that the department bills hikers in about 12 of roughly 180 rescue operations each year. Those bills generally range from about $1,000 to $20,000, depending on the personnel and equipment involved. As of Aug. 21, the teenagers had not yet received one.
There is another financial safeguard hikers can pursue. New Hampshire also offers a voluntary Hike Safe card, which helps fund search-and-rescue operations and generally protects holders from being charged for a rescue when negligence is involved. That protection does not apply if someone is found to have acted recklessly or intentionally created the emergency.