Full Notification

Over 60 emergency personnel along with numerous bear hunters have safely rescued the injured hiker in the Pisgah National Forest near Old Fort.  A helicopter from the NC National Guard performed a technical rescue by hoisting the patient from the forest floor shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. The patient was then transported to a nearby landing zone where the MAMA helicopter completed the final transfer to Mission Trauma Center in Asheville.  The injured hunter suffered a fall on Wednesday in the Pisgah Forest just northeast of Old Fort leading to the 16 hour search and rescue mission.   "We are extremely grateful for all the assistance provided by local, state, and federal agencies, along with the dedicated hunters who worked tirelessly to find their friend and assist emergency services," states Emergency Services Director Will Kehler.  

This is the final update for this incident.  We thank the public for their support and prayers during this long search and rescue operation.