A Maine Forest Rangers helicopter crew shorthaul a hiker with a leg injury off the Appalachian Trail near East Madrid Monday evening. Credit: Courtesy of Franklin Search and Rescue

Rescuers airlifted a hiker with an injured leg from the Appalachian Trail in western Maine on Monday.

Franklin Search and Rescue took the trail near East Madrid Monday evening to help wardens from the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and firefighters from Phillips, Kingfield and Rangeley to evacuate the hiker, Franklin Search and Rescue said in a Facebook post.

Wardens and members of Franklin Search and Rescue clear an area of dangerous trees and debris so the helicopter crew can safely lift the hiker out. Credit: Courtesy of Franklin Search and Rescue

Because it was quickly getting dark and the terrain was difficult, Wardens called Maine Forest Rangers for a helicopter. Rescuers cleared a space for the helicopter crew to get the hiker, who was safely airlifted to a waiting ambulance and brought to a local hospital, according to Franklin Search and Rescue.

Ethan Andrews is the night editor. He was formerly the managing editor at The Free Press and worked as a reporter for The Republican Journal and Pen Bay Pilot.