Hiker Lost in Lake Russell WMA Found Safe

By Ethan Jordan, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

A woman hiking in the woods at the Frady Branch trailhead off Highway 184 in Stephens County was found safe after getting lost.

It happened last Thursday when Stephens County E911/EMA Director Danielle Rhodes said the hiker contacted 911 at approximately 6 a.m. to state that she lost.
Sgt. Tim Vickery and Game Warden First Class Ethan Franklin were called to assist Stephens County with a Search and Rescue for the woman in the Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area.

Rhodes says they assembled teams for ground searching and did an initial hasty search, focusing on a ping location from her initial call, but with no success.
In the early afternoon last Thursday, game wardens were searching on foot when they heard the victim at the top of Farmers Mountain and were able to climb up the mountain to get her.

Stephens County Search and Rescue personnel on the other side of the ridge also heard her calling at approximately the same time.

Rescuers said the hiker was disoriented, dehydrated, and had an injured ankle.
The hiker was airlifted from the forest by Capt. Steven Turner along with Game Warden Kalem Burns rappelling and Game Warden Roger McConkey as Aerial Observer.

The hiker was taken to Stephens County Hospital for treatment of her injuries.