SPARTA TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — A hiker experiencing a medical emergency was rescued from a trail at Sparta Glen and transported to a hospital Friday morning, according to Sparta Township police.
Police and EMS responded to Sparta Glen at about 10:59 a.m. Sept. 4 after receiving a report of a hiker experiencing a medical emergency who was unable to walk out of the area.
Police dispatchers gathered information, located the hiker and provided responding officers with directions to the patient’s location within the trail system, police said.
Officers entered the woods and located the hiker about 0.39 miles into the Blue Trail. The patient was provided immediate assistance while officers waited for EMS personnel to arrive.
Because of the patient’s condition and the terrain, police used a utility terrain vehicle to assist with the evacuation.
The patient was placed in the UTV and transported from the trail to an ambulance waiting near the trail entrance. EMS personnel continued to provide medical care before the patient was transported to Newton Medical Center for further treatment.
Police said the UTV was purchased through grant funding specifically to provide officers with equipment capable of responding to emergencies in areas that are difficult or impossible to access with standard emergency vehicles.
The department credited its dispatchers, responding officers, Sparta Ambulance Squad and emergency medical personnel for their roles in the response.
