Hiker dies after falling 300 feet off a mountain while taking pictures with wife

A New Hampshire hiker died on Saturday after he fell more than 300 feet from the mountain while taking pictures of the scenery with his wife, authorities said. 

The incident took place at around 10:30 a.m. on the summit of Mt. Willard in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, at around 2,865 feet, said the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in a statement. 

"The hiker’s wife heard her husband yell and looked over to notice him falling over the edge of the mountain down a steep cliff that extended to the bottom approximately 800 feet," the agency said.

The wife, who couldn’t read her husband due to the icy conditions at the summit, called 911 for help. When rescue technicians arrived, they repelled down the cliff and searched for the fallen hiker. 

He was finally located a few hours later, at around 2:30 p.m., about 300 feet below the summit. The hiker was pronounced dead at the scene. The rescue service removed the body from the cliff and lifted him back to the summit. 

The hiker was identified as Joseph “Eggy” Eggleston, 53 of Randolph New Hampshire. He and his wife had been frequent hikers and were well prepared for the hike. 

"They were equipped with the essential equipment to include traction devices on their boots for the frozen and icy trail," officials wrote in a press release.