6/12/18
Photo Courtesy summitpost.org
(Helen)- White County public safety personnel performed multiple rescue efforts Sunday around the Low Gap Shelter area on the Appalachian Trail.
Public Safety Director David Murphy said Monday, in an email release, Sunday around 11:30 AM White County Fire Services responded to the report of a female hiker suffering from exhaustion and dehydration just a few feet south of the Low Gap Shelter.
According to Murphy, when firefighters arrived they discovered that it was actually a female hiker and her daughter that needed help. The daughter tried to make her way to the parking area of Hog Pen Gap but she became distressed about a mile from the parking area.
Murphy said a team of three firefighters walked to her location and a 2nd team hiked in to the Low Gap area to provide aid to the mother. Murphy said the mother was treated on scene for dehydration. They utilized a Department of Natural Resources helicopter to lift the mother out to awaiting fire personnel located in Union County.
Meanwhile the daughter was walked out by the first team to their vehicle.
The mother was then transported to her daughter’s location.
According to Murphy while in the process of cleaning up from that event, another call was received to go to Low Gap Shelter for a female with a possible fractured arm. The Patient was lifted by helicopter and then transported by a Union General Ambulance to Union General Hospital in Blairsville.
This entire event kept firefighters busy for approximately 10 hours. Murphy said, ” I would like to commend, Chief Alexander and his team along with the 911 dispatch personnel for the quick response and team work in assisting these individuals to safety.”
