Hiker in New Hampshire dies after falling off ledge, into the bottom of a waterfall

A hiker in New Hampshire died after slipping and falling off a ledge while descending a mountain, officials say.

A group of three people had taken a tram up the summit of Cannon Mountain in central New Hampshire on Saturday, the New Hampshire Fish and Game said in a news release.

The group had planned to take the tram down the mountain, but when they got to the summit, they changed their mind and decide to hike down it instead. However, officials said the group was not following “an established hiking trail,” thinking they were on a ski trail. 

“The group encountered a location that was rocky, wet, and steep with a waterfall. As the group tried to maneuver their way down, one of the hikers slipped causing him to fall off a ledge,” the department said. 

Officials were notified of the hiker falling shortly before 1 p.m., as the other group members realized they couldn’t see their fallen companion.  

First responders arrived to the location provided to 911 of where the hiker fell, and discovered the deceased male at the bottom of a waterfall. Members of Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team were able to recover the victim’s body and bring him to the tram parking lot over two hours after the officials were first notified.

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The name of the hiker is being withheld until family members are notified. 

Cannon Mountain has the highest ski area summit in the state at 4,080 feet, according to Ski New Hampshire.