Sgt. Jerry Raneri and Carmel Assistant Chief Patrick O’Brien commandeer sweets that were given to the diabetic when he was rescued

TOWN OF KENT—All Luther Collins wanted was something sweet when found disoriented in a heavily wooded area of Kent. 

The nearly 80-year-old hunter from the Bronx who suffers from diabetes began his expedition Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. near the Mt. Nimham Fire Tower off Gipsy Trail Road.  After scouring the woods for several hours, the man became lost in the 1,000 acre forest. Finally, around noon, he called 911 and a dispatcher notified Kent Police.

Sgt. Jerry Raneri responded and once he assessed the situation, the 30-year career officer called out reinforcements.

 First responders rushed to the scene.

 Authorities lost contact with Collins due to the poor cell phone reception found in the Kent area. Police and fire personnel began to search for the man. Several officers climbed to the top of the Mt. Nimham Fire Tower while others scoured the area from the ground with the use of the Carmel Fire Department’s recently purchased all-terrain vehicle.

 Nearly two hours passed and concern resulted in the rescue party requesting a blood hound and helicopter from the New York State Police. As additional reinforcements were arriving, Detective Gerald Locascio and Kent Highway Superintendent Anthony Caravetta, two hunters who know the area like the back of their hands, found the missing man in a ravine near the tower.

 Police learned that Collins was diabetic. Sgt. Raneri and Chief O’Brien commandeered a package of chocolate cupcakes and a bottle of soda from one of the rescue vehicles.

 It took another 45 minutes for rescuers to bring Collins to a command center on the all-terrain vehicle via a network of trails and old roads at the Putnam Veterans Memorial Park.

 Collins appeared to be in good spirits. “I’m hungry” he told the Putnam County Courier as he downed the sweets. Collins said he hadn’t eaten anything for 6 hours which is extremely dangerous for a diabetic.

 Collins was taken by the Kent FD Rescue Squad to Putnam Hospital Center where he was checked out in the emergency room and was later released.