A New Hampshire hiker who suffered bad weather and sent a message to his wife that he would die without help succumbed to his injuries after rescuers located him on a mountain trail in a hypothermic state on Saturday night, authorities said. The hiker, later identified as 53-year-old Xi Chen, from Andover, Massachusetts, was trying to cross the Presidential Range when bad weather hit the Gulfside Trail near Mount Clay in Coos County, New Hampshire. of Law in Hampshire Fish and Game. Fish and Game officers were responding to multiple calls from cold hikers stuck on the trail when they received a call from Xi’s wife around 6:30 p.m. “The hiker had sent a text message to his wife telling her he was cold and wet and could not continue,” the agency said. “He further wrote that he felt he would die without rescue.” DRAMATIC RESCUE OF 19 PEDESTRIANS FROM THE YUTA GORGE: “THAT’S WHY WE TRAIN” Officials immediately launched a rescue operation in the area, describing the ground on the high peaks as insidious, with low temperatures, rain, sleet, snow and winds blowing above 80 mph. Only experienced rescuers with the appropriate equipment were sent for this rescue, the service said. Rescuers said conditions around the Gulfside Trail near Mount Clay in New Hampshire were dangerous, with gusts of 80 mph, low temperatures and snow, officials said. (NH Fish and Game Department of Law Enforcement Department) Rescuers located the hiker after an hour, to withstand the rain and snow. Officials said Xi did not respond and was in a critical condition. While trying to warm him up, the service reported that rescuers found signs of life although he did not respond. Rescuers then ran to transport the hiker to the top of Mount Washington, hiking over a mile in the rain and wind. At the top, rescuers placed the hiker in a truck and led him to the base where an ambulance was waiting to take him to the hospital. After several hours of rescue efforts, Xi was pronounced dead. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION Officials said many other hikers ignored the expected weather conditions and instead of going back or committing to safer altitudes, they pushed and finally called 911 awaiting rescue. “Sometimes having enough equipment is not enough,” the agency said. “In the weather you experienced this weekend, it is better to get down and get out of the air and cold instead of pushing until it is too late.”
