A 16-year-old boy is in critical condition after a harrowing rope swing accident in Manchester on Thursday, prompting a dramatic emergency response through treacherous terrain.
Police officers responding to the scene at Hidden Lake encountered significant obstacles. Two patrol vehicles became disabled on the rugged off-road trail, forcing Sgt. Michael Guarino and Patrolmen Sage Sysol, Taylor Schandall, Liam Christensen, and Sean Rembach to continue the remaining distance on foot in a race against time.
Upon reaching the lake, officers found the teen unresponsive and partially submerged, held above the water by two of his friends. Emergency personnel immediately secured him to a backboard and executed a rope-assisted rescue up a steep 30-foot embankment.
The teen was then transported by utility task vehicle (UTV) nearly three miles to the nearest road, where a landing zone had been established at Bowker Field. From there, he was transferred to a Manchester EMS ambulance and subsequently airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center’s Trauma Unit. Doctors have since intubated him, and he remains in critical condition.
A preliminary investigation suggests the boy fell from a rope swing and struck his head on impact, resulting in severe traumatic injuries. The incident remains under investigation by Ptl. Rembach.
Authorities have not released the identity of the teen.