Dozens of first responders were called out this weekend to help rescue a sick hiker from a popular White County trail. The six-hour-long rescue began Sunday morning at Raven Cliffs Trailhead.
Around 11:30 a.m. on September 27, White County 911 received a call about a female patient who was nauseous and lethargic near the falls, says White County Public Safety Director David Murphy. First responders reached her about an hour and fifteen minutes later.
“The patient was located at the top of the falls which is a difficult location to access and the patient’s condition was going to provide rescuers with significant challenges,” says Murphy. Due to weather conditions, rescuers were unsure whether an aircraft could be used to assist in removing the patient from the top of the falls, so, White County requested assistance from three other counties.
Fifteen personnel responded from fire departments in Habersham, Towns, and Union counties. They joined first responders from the Helen and White County fire departments White County CERT, and EMS.
As personnel prepared to move the patient to safety, the weather cleared and a Georgia State Patrol helicopter was able to lift the patient from the falls to an awaiting ambulance. The patient was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment.
Just after 6 p.m. Murphy reports all first responders were “out of the woods, off the trail, and accounted for.”
Sunday’s effort is the latest example of just how difficult rescues can be in Northeast Georgia’s rugged terrain. Public safety officials urge those planning outdoor activities to be mindful of the dangers, not just to themselves, but to others.
“It is extremely important to know the area in which you plan to hike and be prepared for any emergencies that could occur,” Murphy says. “These incidents [rescues] take several personnel, specialized equipment and training, and lengthy manhours to complete.”
At least a dozen people have had to be rescued from area trails and waterfalls this year. One woman died after suffering a cardiac arrest while hiking Panther Creek Trail in northern Habersham County in July.
