CHENANGO COUNTY – Area fire departments had their hands full Tuesday night fighting off two fires and finding a missing hunter.
In Coventry, fire and emergency volunteers went searching for a missing hunter after receiving a 911 call at around 4 p.m.
Three hours later, in 25 degree weather, firemen found 77-year-old Alfred Stierle of Ronkonkoma and brought him out of the woods.
“It was a very positive outcome – a Long Island man not familiar with area, he used his head and remained calm. Everything an experienced hunter does, he did,” said Chenango County Fire Coordinator Matt L. Beckwith.
Beckwith said Stierle took proper precautions and was prepared for the weather.
“Stierle was hunting with a partner that afternoon and later at around 2:30, he lost contact with him. He waited a while and decided to call 911,” said Chenango County Bureau of Fire Deputy Coordinator Harold Ives.
The partner waited for Stierle to come out of the woods at their rendezvous location, but after losing contact on the radio and cell phone, he dialed 911, said Ives.
