A missing hiker was miraculously found alive after going missing in the Kentucky wilderness – now rescuers have revealed the clues that helped them find him.
Scott Hern, 48, was last seen by his family in Ohio on July 4 before hiking in the Red River Gorge, nearly 100 miles away, the next day.
Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team He said Hern’s journal revealed he had previously visited Bell Falls along the 715 Freeway, prompting crews to revisit the area on Saturday.
During the search, about two weeks after he was reported missing, rescuers found a shoe print and the presence of a walking stick. A faint calling noise was then heard and Hern was located on a steep embankment below a cliff.
“It is a true miracle that Mr Hern has been found after 14 days and 12 days without food or water. We have persevered in the search, but hope was fading,” the rescue group said.
Scott Hern (pictured), 48, was found alive after going missing for two weeks in the Red River Gorge.
Rescuers used clues Hern left in his journal to search an area near Bell Falls along the 715 Freeway where they found him.
His family told the rescue team that Hern had been visiting the area in recent months looking for waterfalls and his journal listed several places he planned to visit.
His vehicle was last seen in the Tower Rock parking area along Highway 715. Wolfe County Search and Rescue, Powell County Search and Rescue and Red STAR Wilderness EMS crews searched the rugged surroundings unsuccessfully for two weeks.
Rescuers were beginning to lose hope in their dangerous two-week search for Hern when they discovered signs of life on Saturday.
“We were in the most rugged terrain you can imagine and it’s very dangerous for anyone to be out there. My team spent hours exploring the search area,” said rescuer Eric Wolterman.
‘We stopped to regroup and one of the people on the team heard a very faint noise. We paused and shouted ‘who’s that?’ We thought it was another search team. Then I heard ‘help.’ We ran off in that direction.
“As we got closer I asked him what his name was and he said, ‘Scott Hern.’ I’ve never moved faster uphill in my entire life.
Rescuers found a shoe print and evidence of a walking stick in the area, then heard a faint noise calling to them and found Hern on a steep embankment below a cliff line.
Due to its location in heavy terrain, Kentucky State Police assisted in a hoisting operation.
‘I was the first one to approach him and I said, ‘My name is Eric, I’m with Wolfe County Search and Rescue, you’re safe, we’re going to get you out of here.’
‘He looked at me and said, “Thank you so much. Would you give me a hug?” I got tears in my eyes and I gave him a big hug. I think it was the best hug of our lives.
Due to its location in heavy terrain, Kentucky State Police assisted in a hoisting operation.
Hern was placed on an orange stretcher and flown from the remote location to the University of Kentucky hospital.
On Sunday, doctors allowed him to start eating, although he still cannot walk on his own.