LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — Multiple agencies took part in a search for two hikers in Bankhead National Forest Sunday night and Monday morning, and the pair was eventually found safe.
According to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence County 911 received a report around 8:40 p.m. of two overdue hikers in Bankhead National Forest.
Family members reported that the pair had been hiking with friends near several waterfalls and were expected to return around 2:00 p.m., but they not made contact with them for several hours.
The hikers’ vehicle was located at around 9:54 p.m. on Sunday near the Sipsey Picnic Area by deputies from the Winston County Sheriff’s Office and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO said that then Winston County EMA formally requested assistance from the office’s Multi-Agency Search and Rescue Team to help organize and lead a search.
Search teams came together on Monday morning around 8 a.m. to begin efforts to find the hikers, and they were ultimately located uninjured around 11:54 a.m.
Authorities were later able to determine that while the two hikers were on their way out, they had taken a wrong turn and become disoriented.
“Always let your family or friends know exactly where you’re going and when you plan to be back. That information can make all the difference in helping us find you quickly if something goes wrong,” Lawrence County Sheriff Max Sanders said.
The sheriff’s office said it used its newly acquired Starlink Internet System during the search efforts, and added that it “greatly enhanced communication capabilities in the remote terrain of Bankhead National Forest.”
Other agencies that assisted in the efforts include Lawrence County Central 911, Winston County EMA, Winston County Sheriff’s Office, Ashridge Fire and Rescue, Randall’s Adventure & Training Search and Rescue (RAT-SAR), Wild Alabama, North Alabama Search Dog Association, Huntsville Cave Rescue Unit, Winston Search and Dive Team, SARTECH K-9, U.S. Forest Service, ALEA Aviation Unit, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Game and Fish Division) and Regional Paramedic Services.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office also said it “extends its appreciation to all partner agencies for their swift cooperation and dedication to ensuring a safe and successful outcome.”
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