Connecticut Man Dies After Collapsing While Hiking in White Mountains

LOW & BURBANKS GRANT, N.H. — A Connecticut man died Monday after collapsing while hiking on the Valley Way Trail in the White Mountains, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game officials. Richard Perrault, 70, of Clinton, Conn., was hiking solo when he collapsed around 1:30 p.m., roughly 2.9 miles from the nearest road. Bystanders witnessed the collapse and immediately began CPR after calling 911, officials said. Given the remote location and severity of the medical emergency, the New Hampshire Army National Guard was called to assist. A Blackhawk helicopter was launched from Concord while Appalachian Mountain Club personnel and conservation officers began hiking toward the scene. At approximately 3:15 p.m., the helicopter crew extracted Perrault from the trail and flew him to Gorham Municipal Airport, where Gorham EMS, fire and police personnel were waiting to transfer him to an ambulance. Despite the efforts of bystanders, emergency responders and medical personnel, Perrault succumbed to the medical event and was pronounced dead. No further information was immediately available.