A hiker who texted his wife that he would die if he didn’t get help has died. Xi Chen, 53, was attempting to cross the Presidential Range in Andover, Massachusetts when he became stranded due to severe weather. He was discovered in a hypothermic state on a mountain trail near Mt. Clay by rescuers.
Xi’s immediately notified rescue officers after she received the text from her husband. A rescue operation was immediately launched to save Xi. Only seasoned rescuers were allowed on the team because according to the officers, the terrain was treacherous and full of winds blowing at 80mph.
According to the agency that put together the rescue team, Xi was discovered in a severely hypothermic state after searching for an hour. Despite his inability to respond, rescuers detected signs of life. They walked over a mile in the rain and wind to get to him. Xi was declared dead after several hours of life-saving efforts.
Most of the hikers who ignored previously forecasted weather conditions were fortunate enough to have escaped Xi’s fate.
