Two hikers were airlifted from a section of the Appalachian Trail in the early hours of New Year’s Eve after they became stranded, according to a Tennessee Department of Military release.
The hikers first contacted the Greene County Sheriff’s Office just after 5:15 a.m. After learning that the hikers were “stranded in the darkness of night and surrounded by cliffs and drop offs in the area,” the sheriff’s office requested an emergency airlift from the Tennessee National Guard, the release said.
The hikers, who suffered minor injuries, were in the Sampson Mountain Wilderness Area, 83 miles northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee. The wilderness area covers thousands of acres of forest, including Sampson Mountain which peaks at 4,060 feet. The area is also a native habitat for a large population of black bears, according to the Forest Service.
The 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, based in Knoxville, deployed a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter at 8 a.m. and located the hikers by 8:45 a.m., according to officials.
“Staff Sgt. (John) Sharbel (led) the on-ground hoist mission,” according to the release. “Both hikers were lifted into the aircraft shortly after 9:00 a.m.”
Medical personnel aboard the aircraft provided aid during the flight to Johnson City Medical Center, 27 miles northeast of the wilderness area.
The hikers recovered and have since been released from care, according to the release.
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