By Tricia Pursell
TROXELVILLE — A hiker who died after spending an unplanned night in Bald Eagle State Forest this week was overcome with a medical condition and unable to seek help, according to Snyder County’s chief deputy coroner, Bill Pheasant.
David Frank Bone, of Mechanicsburg, was pronounced dead at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday — 3½ hours after rescue crews found him 2½ miles from the trail head within the 500-acre Snyder-Middleswarth Nature Area.
“For the most part, I think he was fairly healthy,” said Pheasant, who had recently learned of several medical conditions that Bone had been facing. He declined to provide details about those medical conditions.
Pheasant said he believed Bone was “in the middle of his hiking and he became disoriented.”
Officials believe the cold and the exposure is what eventually killed the 64-year-old, Pheasant said.
“I certainly don’t believe it was his intention to be there all night,” Pheasant said.
Bone was not conscious when crews found him at approximately 12:30 p.m., according to Amy Griffith, district forester.
Bone’s wife, Beverly, reported him missing at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday.
Their daughter Deborah did not return a phone call Thursday.
Approximately 30 to 60 rescue volunteers from six Valley fire companies combed the area for about 16 hours.
Nick Weader, Beaver Springs fire chief, said Bone was carrying no supplies when he was found about 2½ miles from the trail head.
“If familiar with the trail, it wouldn’t be uncommon for someone to not stay on the trail,” Griffith said.
The trail Bone had been following is very narrow and rocky along a stream, she said.
“It was very difficult to get him back out again,” Griffith said.
Bone is the fourth person to die on local state forest lands in three weeks. Three Middleburg residents, including a 9-year-old boy, lost their lives in a pickup truck accident on Sept. 26 in a remote area of Bald Eagle State Forest in Lewis Township, Union County. A fourth passenger in the truck, a 16-year-old boy, survived. In that case, investigators believe the wreckage went undiscovered for about five hours because it was in such an isolated location.
When hiking on state forest lands, it is important to make sure someone knows exactly where you are going, said Christine Novak, press secretary for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
“If you got lost and confused ... at least we have a starting point,” she said. “Make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you’re expected back.”
It’s also a good idea to be with someone else when out in the woods, she added.
And if you get lost, stay where you are.
Bringing along plenty of water and wearing and taking supplies that would protect you from the elements are ways to prepare for an unexpected delay.
“It’s always good to anticipate a change in the weather,” she said.
Novak said officials have also suggested that hikers wear a whistle.
