Lost hikers rescued from Tallulah Gorge

(NowHabersham.com)

Two female hikers had to be rescued after getting lost in Tallulah Gorge. The late-night Thursday rescue involved multiple agencies from Habersham and Rabun counties, says Habersham County Public Information Officer Rob Moore.

Kim Hatcher with the State Parks and Historic Sites Division tells Now Habersham the hikers got lost and called 911.

“A drone was used to locate them halfway between Hurricane and Oceana Falls,” she says.

Habersham County units responded to the gorge shortly before 10 p.m. to assist with the search and rescue effort.

“Tallulah Falls Fire Department had command, and the operation was handled primarily through Rabun County Dispatch,” says Moore.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was also on the scene. The hikers, both aged 17, were led safely out of the gorge. Hatcher says DNR’s Law Enforcement Division cited them for not having a gorge-floor permit or parking pass.