Boston radio personality missing while hiking in Bartlett, N.H.
By Associated Press, 09/03/01
BARTLETT, N.H. (AP) - Officials said Monday conservation officers with dogs would search through the night for a Boston-area news anchor who went missing while hiking in the White Mountain National Forest.
Ted O'Brien of Boston National Public Radio affiliate WBUR went missing Sunday afternoon, said WBUR spokeswoman Mary Stohn. His wife alerted state police after O'Brien didn't return from a hike.
Fish and Game Lt. Rick Estes said the 10-mile trail on which O'Brien set out is hard to follow in places because of ice damage during the last winter, is rarely used and is "a very, very nasty place."
O'Brien was visiting family members, but went on the hike alone at about 11 a.m. O'Brien told his wife he expected to take about six hours to hike the Diana's Bath trail over Mount Attitash and would contact her when he finished the walk, said WBUR news director Sam Fleming.
But officials told WBUR the hike takes experienced hikers at least 11 to 12 hours and the trail often is poorly marked.
About two-dozen volunteers were looking for him, according to Fish and Game officials.
O'Brien's wife and state police officials say they are optimistic about finding O'Brien soon, Fleming said.
O'Brien, 60, has been at WBUR since 1999. He is the station's weekday news anchor.
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