KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — An inured hiker was rescued from Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Tuesday, according to a North Carolina National Guard. Weather conditions had delayed crews’ ability to respond sooner.
The North Carolina National Guard deployed a Helo Aquatic Rescue Team to conduct a rescue mission in Swaim County, North Carolina to evacuate a 69-year-old male hiker with a lower leg injury.
The rescue mission initially began Monday night, according to Tennessee Military Department spokesperson Darrin Haas, but the weather kept both the Tennessee National Guard and North Carolina National Guard from being able to go out on the aerial mission.
With improved weather conditions on Tuesday, the crew was able to execute the rescue at approximately 1 p.m. The hiker was dropped off with rescue technicians at Bryson City, North Carolina.
