One hiker rescued, another found dead after dayslong search at Pyramid Mountain
The search began after officers found an unattended vehicle at Pyramid Mountain.
More Stories
The search for two people who went missing during a hike at Pyramid Mountain in Montville earlier this week ended Tuesday after rescuers located one person alive and the other dead.
The search began Monday after an officer with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office located an unattended vehicle in the Pyramid Mountain parking lot at about 10:14 p.m. Police searched the area for the vehicle’s owner for hours, suspending the search at 4 a.m. because of inclement weather.
Investigators determined the vehicle’s occupants were John Higgins, 77, and Virginia Taetzch, both of Pompton Plains. Police said they went hiking at Pyramid Mountain at about 1 p.m. Sunday.
More than 30 first responders resumed the search at 9 a.m. Tuesday. They eventually located Higgins in the park at about 11:40 a.m. Police said he was alive and was taken to Morristown Medical Center for treatment. His condition was not immediately known.
Rescuers continued searching and later found Taetzch, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Our multi-agency search-and-rescue operation successfully saved one life while sadly recovering a deceased individual,” Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano said in a statement. “Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families during this difficult time, and we thank all agencies involved for their dedicated efforts. This was a tremendous effort by the men and women of multiple Morris County law enforcement agencies. The coordination and determination of all of those officers were able to save Mr. Higgins’ life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ms. Taetzch.”
