CLEVELAND — Rescuers from White County spent about 10 hours Sunday handling rescue calls at or near the Low Gap Shelter on the Appalachian Trail.
About 11:30 a.m. Sunday, White County Fire Services responded to a report of a female hiker suffering from exhaustion and dehydration just a few feet south of the Low Gap Shelter on the AT, said White County Public Safety Director David Murphy.
When firefighters arrived, they discovered it was a female hiker with her daughter. The daughter had tried to make her way to the parking area of Hogpen [Gap], but became distressed about a mile before the parking area, Murphy said.
Murphy said a team of three firefighters went in to her location, while a second team went in to the Low Gap area for her mother.
“The mother was located about one mile south of the Low Gap Shelter,” Murphy said. “A DNR helicopter was used to lift her out to awaiting fire personnel at 801 Low Gap Road in Union County. She was treated on the scene for dehydration.”
The first rescue team gave the daughter water and walked her out to her vehicle. Her supplies were carried by fire personnel, Murphy said. The mother was reunited with her daughter after extrication.
“While in the process of cleaning up from the event, another call was received to go to Low Gap Shelter for a female with a possible fractured arm,” Murphy said.
That patient was lifted by helicopter and then transported by Union General ambulance to Union General Hospital in Blairsville.
“This entire event kept firefighters on these incidents for approximately 10 hours,” Murphy said. “I would like to commend Chief Alexander and his team, along with the 9-1-1 dispatch personnel for the quick response and teamwork in assisting these individuals to safety.”
