A Saturday hike on Grandfather Mountain turned into a dramatic helicopter rescue after a hiker suffered a significant fall along the rugged mountain trail.
Avery County 911 received the emergency call around noon Saturday, Aug. 15, prompting a multi-agency response. Rescuers determined a helicopter was the fastest way to get the injured hiker to medical care.
Crews included Avery County EMS, Avery County Emergency Management and the Linville-Central Rescue Squad. The North Carolina Mountain Rescue Team 1 and Grandfather Mountain State Park also assisted.
North Carolina Emergency Management assisted with the operation, while a North Carolina State Highway Patrol aviation crew flew the helicopter.
Crews successfully airlifted the hiker from the trail and transported the patient to a nearby medical facility.
Officials have not released the hiker’s identity or additional details about the person’s condition.
Grandfather Mountain’s steep and rugged terrain can make ground rescues difficult, requiring specialized teams and equipment during serious emergencies.
