ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Two members of the state police aviation unit who pulled off a daring wintertime rescue atop New York's second-largest mountain are the recipients of a new state honor.

Technical Lt. Peter McLain and Technical Sgt. Brian Rumrill received the Division of Criminal Justice Services' inaugural Lifesaving Award during a ceremony held Wednesday at the aviation unit's headquarters at Albany International Airport.

McLain and Rumrill piloted the state police helicopter that plucked two hikers from the Albany area off the top of Algonquin Peak after they became stranded for two days in sub-zero temperatures while hiking in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks in December 2016.

The rescued hikers attended the ceremony along with their families.

The award honors law enforcement officers who performed heroic acts during life-threatening emergencies.

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