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Hiker Airlifted From Appalachian Trail in Georgia
24 Feb
Summary
- A hiker fell ill on Georgia's Appalachian Trail near Hawk Mountain.
- Emergency responders airlifted the 46-year-old hiker to safety.
- Multiple agencies collaborated for the challenging, lengthy rescue operation.
A hiker fell ill on Saturday morning while traversing Georgia's portion of the Appalachian Trail near Hawk Mountain. The 46-year-old man was found unable to walk by Fannin County emergency responders who were dispatched after a 911 call.
Due to the challenging and remote nature of the location, rescue crews carried the man in a stretcher to an area suitable for helicopter extraction. A Georgia Department of Natural Resources team airlifted the hiker to a nearby location, where he was transferred to Life Force.
The multi-agency rescue operation concluded late Saturday evening, lasting over ten hours. Officials have reminded hikers to stay hydrated, know their limits, and inform others of their hiking plans.
