The Habersham County Coroner’s Office has identified the hiker who fell ill and died Sunday as 23-year-old Ogechukwukamma Chu-Okasia of Kennesaw.
Chu-Okasia was born in the United States and raised in Nigeria. She returned to the U.S. two years ago, according to assistant coroner Ken Franklin. She and two of her cousins were on a day trip to Habersham County to hike the Panther Creek Trail when she died.
“They walked down to the waterfalls and when they later started back to their car at the Panther Creek Park, the deceased collapsed and became unconscious and unresponsive,” Franklin says.
Habersham County 911 received a call around 9:41 p.m. Sunday regarding a 23-year-old who was unresponsive on Panther Creek Trail. “Crews arrived and, while removing the patient from the trail, sadly, she experienced cardiac arrest,” says Habersham County Emergency Services Director Chad Black.
Paramedics unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate Chu-Okasia. Habersham EMS transported her to Habersham County Medical Center in Demorest where she was pronounced dead. The State Medical Examiner’s Office in Decatur will conduct an autopsy to determine her exact cause of death.
HCES, Tallulah Falls and Lee Arrendale Fire and Rescue, and Habersham Search and Rescue (HabSAR) took part in the rescue effort.
This was the second sick call on Panther Creek Trail over the weekend. On Saturday, first responders were dispatched to assist a 71-year-old woman who was experiencing difficulty breathing. HCES has conducted five search and rescue operations on Panther Creek Trail since March.
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This article has been updated with new information
