Watch: NJ state troopers locate missing man suffering hypothermia in Stokes State Forest in Sussex County
SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ – A missing man who was suffering from hypothermia was found in Stokes State Forest by state police.
New Jersey State Police Sussex Station Troopers responded to a missing person call a few days before Christmas. A man left his residence in an Ultra Terrain Vehicle (UTV) and was not heard from in 24 hours, state police said.
Troopers conducted a search of the area and eventually located UTV tracks that led them deep into the woods of Stokes State Forest, state police said.
The tracks led Troopers to the UTV that was disabled by a downed log and multiple boulders, but the man was not with the vehicle, state police said.
The Troopers were able to follow his foot prints in the snow and it was observed that he had become separated from his walking stick and his right boot. He was found a short distance from his boot, lying face up with labored breathing, but his core body temperature dropped significantly and he was suffering from hypothermia, state police said.
At this point Troopers removed their Class A winter blouses and placed them on top of the man’s body. They also removed their ballistics vests and placed under him to separate him from the frozen ground, state police said.
Additional Troopers arrived and they took turns laying on top of the man in an attempt to transfer body heat while also administering sternum rubs, state police said.
Members of the Sandyston Fire Department arrived with a stokes basket and the man was carried out of the woods to an awaiting emergency UTV. He was then airlifted to an area hospital and is now home recovering, state police said.
