July 9, 2011, Missing hiker in MRNP

A search was initiated Friday for a missing hiker in the southwest area of the park. The hiker was reported missing Friday morning and a search operation began at approximately 8:00 AM. Seven park search teams (23 individuals) and one helicopter checked the area where the missing 65-year old male was reportedly hiking. Last seen on Thursday in the Longmire area and reportedly hiking towards the Van Trump Park and Comet Falls areas, the avid hiker had not yet been located as of 11:00 PM Friday.

The aerial search is being conducted with assistance from Northwest Helicopters. Searching will continue Saturday with additional ground teams joining the effort.

The missing 65 year old white male is described as having gray-brown hair, wearing a T-shirt and tan shorts, stands about 5’5” tall, and was likely carrying a day-pack and a hiking staff. Anyone with information is asked to contact the search incident command center at 360-569-6700.


Thanks, Search IC

Setting this as a sticky, so folks see it. Here's hoping for a safe return.

Located

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews...r1stldwritethru.html

July 9, 2011, 8:00 p.m. At approximately 3:30 p.m. this afternoon the missing hiker was found in the Comet Falls area. He was located in a shallow tree well on a steep slope by one of 10 ground teams. The team assessed the safety of the area and proceeded to the hiker’s location. He was found hypothermic but responsive with some possible fractures.

Due to the hiker’s condition, time of day, length of a ground evacuation, and the subjective hazards of the scene, a military Chinook helicopter was ordered to the location. The hiker was raised via hoist to the Chinook and flown to the park’s helibase, where he was transferred to a waiting medic unit.

The search began Friday 7/8 after the subject was reported missing by his employer. He was scheduled to work at 9:30 on Friday morning and is always prompt. The park was notified at 10:40 and by 11:30 a.m. park employees began the initial search efforts. Five teams searched along Rampart Ridge, Van Trump Park and Comet Falls, the subjects intended route. Several teams remained overnight.

Rescue efforts were continued early Saturday morning with over 60 people involved .There were 10 teams of park employees, dogs, and helicopter fly-overs. Additional agencies involved in this search and rescue include, German Sheppard Search Dogs of Washington State, U.S Army Reserve 214th General Support Aviation Brigade from Joint Base Lewis McCord, Medic 84 out of Eatonville, and Pierce County Fire District 23.