Freehold Family Rescued From Mountain Summit In Maine

FREEHOLD, NJ - A Freehold Township family was rescued this weekend from a mountain summit in Maine after becoming stranded due to weather conditions, authorities said.

Maine Warden Service and other emergency workers assisted in the Saturday night rescue of the Lantona family, which became lost at the summit of Tumbledown Mountain in Franklin County.

Don Lantona, 53, his wife Meena, 52, and their children Ashley, 22, Meaghan, 20, and Connor, 18, had reportedly climbed to the top of mountain over the weekend, but could not find the trailhead to descend back down the mountain due to snow and ice conditions, said Mark Latti, the communications director for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The spokesman said the family members were not wearing proper clothing for the temperature Saturday night and not carrying enough food, water or lighting to climb down the mountain. They eventually dialed 9-1-1 at 6:46 p.m. on Saturday as wind and temperatures in the low 30s began to set in.

“After starting a fire and warming several members of the family, rescuers and the family hiked back down the mountain, getting to the base at approximately midnight,” Latti said.

Game wardens and emergency workers reportedly hiked up the mountain to find the five Freehold residents huddled together for warmth.

“There still is ice snow, and sub-freezing temperatures on the trails of many Maine mountains,” said Maine Game Warden Sergeant Scott Thrasher. “These conditions can be extremely dangerous for those who are unprepared.”

The Maine Warden Service was assisted by the Weld Fire Department and Franklin Search and Rescue.