Acton Hiker Rescued After Accidental Stabbing

An Acton man was rescued from Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire Thursday after accidentally stabbing himself while cutting wood.

Benoit Armangau, 22, was cutting evergreen boughs for bedding when he accidentally stabbed himself in the leg, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game. He was camping with a friend near the summit of Mount Flume.

He was using a 5-inch knife and the injury was "debilitating," leaving him unable to walk, officials said. 

"The area has limited cell phone service, but the young men were eventually able to contact their families in Massachusetts, who then notified local police in Massachusetts, who in turn notified New Hampshire authorities," Fish and Game said in a statement. "A text message was communicated to the young men advising them to get to a location where they could call 911. They did so, which provided coordinates for searchers to be able to find them.

"Hindered by snow depths of up to two feet on the ridge, as well as steady cold rain, (rescuers) reached the distressed hikers at 1:45 a.m. on Thursday ... the (rescuers) stabilized the injury and stayed with the young men through the night. The hikers were adequately prepared with sleeping bags and tents.

"At daybreak, teams of Fish and Game Conservation Officers and volunteers from the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team were assembled and sent up the trail. Rescuers made their way back down the mountain with the injured hiker, who at that point was able to move slowly under his own power."

Armangau was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.