PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Burke County search and rescue teams responded to three separate emergencies across Pisgah National Forest and the Linville Gorge area in a 24-hour period, including a fatal rappelling accident, a swimmer injury and a search for two overdue hikers.
The first incident occurred at Steele Creek Falls, where a person who had been rappelling reportedly became incapacitated and drowned. Burke County 911 first received a text alert from the scene. While rescue crews were en route, a call came in indicating that friends at the scene had initiated CPR. Because of the difficult terrain, responders needed significant time to reach the site. The individual was pronounced dead. Authorities did not immediately release the victim’s identity.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and friends during this difficult time,” Burke Rescue Inc. said in a statement.
The second rescue involved a swimmer at Upper Creek Falls who slipped and suffered a foot injury. Burke County EMS provided advanced life support care at the scene. Rescue personnel worked to safely carry the patient out of the forest to a waiting ambulance.
The third and most complex incident involved two hikers reported missing after setting out for a July 4 day hike near the Cabin Trailhead. The hikers were unprepared and became lost in the Linville Gorge wilderness for more than 72 hours, prompting a 15-hour multi-agency rescue effort. Crews had to leave the trail and bushwhack through dense forest to reach the pair, who were eventually found and treated on scene by Burke EMS.
“The aftermath of Hurricane Helene, lack of sleep, and the subjects’ position deep within the Linville Gorge made this mission particularly challenging — both mentally and physically — for everyone involved,” the agency said.
Multiple agencies assisted in the operations, including Burke EMS/Special Ops, the U.S. Forest Service, Burke County Emergency Management and rescue squads from surrounding counties.