Hiker Rescued And Airlifted Out
Hiker rescued by helicopter on Saturday August 8, 2015 after falling while hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. The 20-year-old fell on Friday and may have suffered a broken ankle. He fell while hiking on the Miry Ridge trail near the intersection with the Appalachian Trail. A call for help was made on Friday just after 4:00pm. Due to weather related conditions the planned airlift and rescue could not take place until Saturday. Park rangers stayed with the college student Joey Watson overnight.
Hiker Rescued After Fall
On Saturday the Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter crew successfully airlifted the young man out of the mountains around noon. He was taken to the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge airport.
Then he was transported by ambulance to LeConte Medical Center. He arrived in stable condition and is recovering now.
