Crews find missing hiker lost in north Georgia mountains

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities in north Georgia are praising each other for helping find a man lost in the mountains this week.

Wednesday evening, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office said a man went for a walk on the Hike Inn Trail near Amicalola Lodge but became lost about a mile from the main road. He then ran out of water and his cell phone died.

Teams from the sheriff’s office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services and the Georgia Department of Public Safety searched into the night for the missing man but still couldn’t find him.

At sunrise on the next day, authorities were able to locate the last location the man’s phone “pinged.” When they arrived at that site, they were able to find multiple items from the hiker. Authorities asked for help from Hall County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit to help out in the search, and K-9 officer Bella immediately went to work.

Shortly after arriving at the search site, authorities said Bella was able to lead deputies directly to the missing hiker, who was laid down about 200 to 300 yards off the main trail. He was found alive and well.

“This truly remarkable teamwork led to the most positive outcome possible,” the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook.

The sheriff’s office thanked Bella and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office for their help in the search.

Cox Media Group