Update: Bear hunter lost in Pisgah National Forest for over 12 hours airlifted to Mission

A U.S. National Guard helicopter rescued a bear hunter suffering “serious injury” in Pisgah National Forest. The hunter had been lost for over 12 hours overnight Oct. 25 and was airlifted to Mission Hospital just before noon Oct. 26, officials say.

A 911 call about the missing hunter was received shortly before 7 p.m. Oct. 25, originating from Curtis Creek Campground off Curtis Creek Road in Old Fort, according to McDowell County EMS director William Kehler. Numerous crew members, drones and aircraft searched for the injured hunter throughout the night. He was located at 7:45 a.m. Oct. 26.

This morning, over 60 personnel from local, state and federal agencies helped with the rescue.

"The National Guard Black Hawk helicopter was able to hoist the patient from the forest floor and transport him to the other aircraft that was waiting at the McDowell EMS Station 2 there in Old Fort," Kehler told the Citizen Times. This was the first time a Black Hawk has been used for a rescue in McDowell County.

"It was very steep, rocky terrain with a number of rock cliffs that made the rescue extremely challenging," Kehler added.

Mission Hospital's MAMA emergency helicopter was waiting on the ground, which then safely airlifted the hunter to Mission Hospital's trauma center, Kehler said.

Kehler said the hunter sustained his injuries "due to a fall." He could not release the name of the patient due to federal privacy laws but said he was in “serious condition.”

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Earlier in the day on Oct. 26, Kehler said it was unknown how long it would take to secure the hunter, since there were varying factors “with us hoisting this patient out of the forest.”

"The successful rescue of the injured hunter was a combination of the exceptional work of emergency personnel but also the teamwork, commitment and dedication of the bear hunters who went above and beyond to pitch in and help their fellow friend and hunter," Kehler said.

All the hunters and emergency personnel are out of the woods and safely accounted for.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Hunter lost in Pisgah National Forest over 12 hours safely rescued