A multi-day search for two missing hikers at Pyramid Mountain in Morris County, New Jersey, ended with one person rescued and another found dead.
Authorities said John Higgins, 77, and Virginia “Ginny” Taetzch, 87, both of Pompton Plains, went hiking at Pyramid Mountain at approximately 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 30. They did not return.
The search began after the Morris County Sheriff’s Office located an unattended vehicle in the Pyramid Mountain parking lot at approximately 10:14 p.m. Monday. Officers searched the surrounding area for several hours, but worsening weather forced them to suspend the effort around 4 a.m. The search resumed Tuesday morning with more than 30 police officers and emergency responders from several Morris County agencies taking part.
At approximately 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, search teams located Higgins alive inside the park. He was transported to Morristown Medical Center for treatment. His condition was not immediately released.
The search continued for Taetzch. She was later located and pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the cause of her death.
Montville Township Police Chief Andrew Caggiano credited the coordinated work of the agencies involved with saving Higgins’ life and expressed condolences to Taetzch’s family. Police departments from Montville, Boonton, Boonton Township, Lincoln Park and Kinnelon participated, along with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Montville Fire Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills EMS and St. Clare’s MICU.
Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area is a popular hiking destination in Morris County covering more than 1,600 acres, with wooded and rugged trails, wetlands and rocky terrain.
Sources: Morris County authorities; WRNJ Radio; CBS New York; News 12 New Jersey
By NJ RADAR Team