Weather ‘definitely a factor' in death of New York hikers in Maine park
Weather may be to blame for the deaths of two hikers, a father and daughter from New York, in a Maine state park this week, officials revealed Thursday.
Esther Keiderling, 28, was found dead around 1 p.m. on Wednesday in a wooded area, Baxter State Park officials wrote in a social media post. Her father, Tim, 58, was found dead a day prior, around 2:45 p.m., near the summit of Mount Katahdin.
Both Keiderlings, of Ulster Park, New York, left Abol Campground on Sunday to hike to the summit. They were last seen at around 10:15 a.m.
That day, the weather forecast called for temperatures in the mid-30s on the mountain, with the summit obscured, said Park Director Kevin Adam. There was a 70% chance of rain on Sunday, the day both Keiderlings went missing, with winds ranging from 30 to 40 mph.
"It would have been freezing rain, fog, and some snow for Sunday," Adam explained. 'Weather is definitely a factor in this incident.'
A search for the pair began Monday morning after finding their vehicle still in the day-use parking lot. Park rangers searched several trails, including the Katahdin Tablelands, and found no sign of the father and daughter.
The search expanded Tuesday with more than 30 game wardens looking for the pair. The Maine Forest Service and Army National Guard used helicopters to aid in the search. Tim Keiderling was found dead on Tuesday by a game warden and his K-9.
Game wardens, park rangers and K-9 teams resumed the search for Esther Keiderling Wednesday.
'We understand that many of our social media followers share in our profound sadness for the family and friends of Tim and Esther Keiderling,' officials wrote in a Facebook post. 'We appreciate your support for their loved ones and the members of the search teams during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Tim and Esther Keiderling's family and friends.'
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