Hikers get lost in the dark, Georgia rescuers say. Then drone spots them on mountain
A drone helped rescue two hikers lost in the dark in the north Georgia mountains, rescuers say.
Rescuers responded Saturday, May 6, after the hikers called 911 to say they got turned around while hiking Mount Yonah in White County, according to public safety officials.
The mountain ridge is nestled in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest between the towns of Helen and Cleveland, the U.S. Forest Service website states.
Visitors can hike and climb the 4.4-mile trek through “rocky, wildflower-filled forest on a continuous, unrelenting upward climb to the top,” according to ExploreGeorgia.org.
Using starting coordinates provided to emergency dispatchers, fire rescue services deployed a drone in the area, according to a news release. Thermal imaging helped locate the lost hikers in the dense forest.
“Fire personnel then entered the trail and was able to make contact with the individuals in a matter of minutes,” officials said in a news release.
Rescuers then safely walked the hikers back to their car. Neither was injured, authorities said.
White County is about 90 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.
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