BLAIRSVILLE— A search is ongoing for a 67-year-old man who was last seen Nov. 11 at a trailhead in Union County, law-enforcement officials say.
The man, identified as Charles Hosch, is described by the Union County Sheriff’s Office as a white male standing about 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing roughly 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki pants, a camel-colored sweater and a dark green jacket.
Hosch’s last known location was the Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead in the Chattahoochee National Forest, where he was reported missing after failing to return from a planned outing, officials said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Hosch’s disappearance was reported when he did not check in at his expected time. The search involves ground teams and volunteers familiar with the trail area, and officials urge anyone who may have seen Hosch or his vehicle to contact the Union County Emergency Operations Center at 706-439-6091 or call 911.
“Time is critical in these situations,” said a representative of the sheriff’s office, who added that weather conditions and mountainous terrain complicate the efforts.
Friends and acquaintances described Hosch as an experienced hiker who often visited that
region. Nonetheless, authorities are urging caution and assistance from the public. Officials ask that anyone with information avoid entering the search area themselves and instead relay sightings to law enforcement so trained teams can respond.
The sheriff’s office said updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Investigators continue working to determine the man’s route and last known activity before he entered the wooded area.
