LAKE PLACID -- Backcountry emergency personnel responded to two hiking incidents over the weekend.

Both events were medical related, according to ranger reports.

On Saturday, Mark O'Neil, 51, of Danbury, Conn., hiked about three-quarters of a mile into the Cascade Trail off Route 73, when he started to experience heart trouble.

"A hiking companion placed a 911 call from a cell phone stating Mr. O'Neil's heart rate was very high and was not dropping significantly with rest," said David Winchell, spokesman for the Department of Environmental Conservation.

DEC forest rangers and members of Backcountry Medical, a volunteer organization of medical professionals, hiked into where O'Neil was resting.

A State Police Life Flight helicopter was called in, and O'Neil was flown out of the mountains about 12:30 p.m. and brought to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

Fletcher Allen spokeswoman Deb Doyle said O'Neil has since been discharged from their facility.

On Sunday, DEC forest rangers, Keene Valley ambulance and Fire Department rescue personnel responded to a hiker suffering a low blood-sugar attack.

Winchell said James Simmons, 62, of Newton Square, Pa., had a diabetic seizure on the trail to Snow Mountain.

Forest rangers, Keene Valley rescue personnel and members of Keene Valley Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call about a mile in from the trailhead Sunday afternoon.

"He had partially recovered from the seizure, which was caused by low blood sugar, and was walking on his own power," Winchell said. "They walked him out to the ambulance, and he was transported to Elizabethtown Community Hospital."

Hiking companions assisted Simmons, who carried necessary medications on the trail.

The State Police Life Flight helicopter was flown in for support and held at Marcy Field on standby, though no transport was made.

Elizabethtown Community Hospital spokeswoman Kerry Haley said Simmons was treated and released.

kdedam@pressrepublican.com