CUTLER – Maine Game Wardens rescued two stranded hikers on the Bold Coast Trail, returning the hikers to their vehicle at 2:00 a.m. this morning.
At just after 5:00 last evening, game wardens responded to a call of two overdue hikers. Staci McCarthy, 53, and Margaret Ross, 73, both from Pembroke, Maine, began their hike with two dogs shortly after 2:00 yesterday afternoon. They hiked for nearly three miles before realizing they underestimated the length and difficulty of the trip and they were not going to make it back to their vehicle before dark, which was parked at the trail head in Cutler on Route 191.
The women had no food, water or flashlights with them for their hike. McCarthy did have her mobile phone and called 911. Game wardens managed to identify the location of the two women shortly before McCarthys cell phone battery expired. Game wardens and Maine Marine Patrol attempted to rescue them by watercraft but due to a strong tidal surf, a water rescue became too difficult and dangerous. In an effort that took nearly five hours, Maine game wardens, marine patrol officers, Washington County Sheriffs deputies and Cutler Fire volunteers hiked to the womens location and helped them back over the icy trail system. The women were returned in good health to their vehicle at 2:00 this morning.
