A NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH AND GAME OFFICER SAYS SEARCH TEAMS ARE TRYING TO GET TO A LONG DISTANCE HIKER WHO BECAME ILL WHILE HIKING ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL.
CONSERVATION OFFICER LT. DOUG GRALENSKI SAID TUESDAY MORNING HIKING COMPANIONS ARE WITH THE 76-YEAR-OLD MAN ON MOUNT HAYES IN SHELBURNE.
BASED ON GPS COORDINATES, GRALENSKI THINKS THE HIKER IS CLOSE TO THE SUMMIT OF THE MOUNTAIN, JUST NORTH OF GORHAM.
GRALENSKI SAYS HE’S LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF USING A HELICOPTER TO EVACUATE THE MAN, WHO IS SUFFERING FROM UNKNOWN MEDICAL ISSUES.
MEANWHILE, A SPOKESPERSON FOR FISH AND GAME SAYS THE FULL SCALE SEARCH FOR THE MISSING 72-YEAR-OLD NORTH CAROLINA MAN – HUGH ARMSTRONG – IN THE RUMNEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE AREA, HAS CONCLUDED.
JANE VACHON SAYS DESPITE AN INTENSIVE MULTI-AGENCY SEARCH THAT LASTED THROUGH THE WEEKEND, NO SIGN HAS BEEN FOUND OF ARMSTRONG – WHO NEVER RETURNED AFTER LEAVING FOR AN EARLY MORNING WALK AROUND STINSON LAKE LAST WEDNESDAY.
A SMALL GROUP OF FISH AND GAME OFFICERS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE CONTINUING THE SEARCH TUESDAY AND DIVERS PLAN TO SEARCH THE LAKE WEDNESDAY, AUG. 1.
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August 2, 2012 Vestal, NY
I just read that the search for Hugh Armstrong has been concluded. My husband and I knew Hugh & Ellen Armstrong and their family since they relocated to Vestal, NY from Massachusetts. Our three boys and their three daughters were children. Their youngest daughter, Sarah and our youngest son Jamie, were friends beginning in Nursery School and later when they attended Glenwood Elementary School in Vestal. What a wonderful family and how lucky we were to count them as friends. I remember Ellen and Hugh’s enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and kindness combined with a sense of fun. They were wonderful parents and participated & and showed a common interest in the community.
They collected antiques attending auctions together. They loved to camp and generously lent me a tent to camp with my boys. I’m sure they made friends everywhere they traveled or resided. Though we felt sorry to see them move on to North Carolina; we understood their choice (but oh, Ellen, you made the best cookies!) Ellen and I were friends, but unfortunately lost touch with each other as fellow IBM families often do. The reason I am writing is to express my shock and dismay at Hugh’s sudden disappearance. I have not given up hope that he will be found healthy to rejoin his friends and family. In the meantime Ellen, we are praying for Hugh and your loved ones. You are in my thoughts. I’ve been following this unbelievable story since accidently catching it on the internet. I search for good news every morning and evening. Pray for strength and may the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand.
Believe
Ruth & Don