TN Army National Guard rescues hiker in Smoky Mtns.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Army National Guard rescued a hiker from the Appalachian Trail early Wednesday morning.

A 27-year-old hiker was in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and was in need of medical help. The Tennessee Military Department said the hiker was “in a remote area near the Silers Bald Shelter,” on the North Carolina and Tennessee border.

(Courtesy: TN Dept. of Military)

The aircrew left in a Blackhawk helicopter shortly after 2 a.m. They arrived in the area 30 minutes later. However, there was thick cloud cover and darkness, which made the search more difficult.

With the help of park rangers on the ground, who were providing coordinates, a fire and a strobe light, the Guard soon found the hiker.

Paramedics and Guard members did a medical assessment and picked up the hiker shortly before 3 a.m.

They transported the hiker to the University of Tennessee Medical Center at about 3:30 a.m. The patient then received additional medical care.

Two pilots, a crew chief and two paramedics assisted in the rescue mission.

(Courtesy: TN Dept. of Military)