http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20130427-NEWS-304270327
Injured mountain biker rescued in Exeter
By Jeff McMenemy
ne...@seacoastonline.com
April 27, 2013 2:00 AM
EXETER Â Town firefighters rescued a man who suffered "serious head and back injuries," from the Oakland Forest Friday afternoon and then temporarily closed Route 27 so he could be MedFlighted to a Boston hospital, Fire Chief Brian Comeau said Friday night.
"We believe he had an accident on his mountain bike, and fell from his bike and hit a rock," Comeau said.
Town firefighters went into the woods off Route 101 after receiving the call at around 2:30 p.m., and located the injured man near a large swampy area. Comeau said the conservation area, which is full of trails, is marked by sometimes hilly and rough terrain that can turn swampy.
Firefighters decided to bring the helicopter in to have the man MedFlighted because of the seriousness of his injuries and how quickly it responds, Comeau said.
"Because of the head and the back injuries, which are considered of a very serious nature, we try to get the highest standard of care we can," Comeau said. "Boston MedFlight is roughly just 20 minutes away and we figured by the time we got him out of the woods, we could have him to a Boston hospital in a short amount of time."
Firefighters used a stokes basket, which is a stretcher used for rescues in tight spaces, like the woods, because it is just big enough to hold one person who can then be strapped in, while allowing several people to help carry the victim, Comeau said.
The fire chief did not have the name or age of the victim Friday night, but believes he is a local man.
The person riding with the victim called 911 and helped firefighters find the pair.
Comeau said it took 45 minutes to get the man out of the woods.
He cautioned against anyone riding out there alone.