Hiker rescued after injury on Rainbow Lake Trails
Rainbow Lake Trails Hiker Rescue / Robert Clark and Neil Baker from Signal Mountain FD
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) — Local first responders rescued a hiker on the Rainbow Lake trails late Friday afternoon.
At approximately 4:17 p.m., a 911 call alerted authorities to screams for help coming from the trailhead near Rainbow Lake Falls.
Another hiker reported locating a woman about half a mile down the trail who appeared to be injured.
Rainbow Lake Trails Hiker Rescue / Robert Clark and Neil Baker from Signal Mountain FD
Using GPS coordinates provided by the caller, emergency crews were dispatched to the scene.
Personnel from the Signal Mountain Fire Department and Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services (HCEMS) hiked through the rugged terrain to assess the woman’s condition.
The patient was secured in a stokes basket and prepared for transport.
Fire Chief Larry Sloan noted the rescue was particularly challenging due to the steep and uneven terrain.
To expedite the operation, Waldens Ridge Emergency Service deployed a specialized 6×6 all-terrain vehicle to assist with extrication.
After nearly three hours of effort, the injured hiker was brought out of the woods and handed over to HCEMS at 7:02 p.m.
She was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
Authorities remind hikers to exercise caution on trails and to carry a fully charged phone for emergencies.
