The Sheriff’s Office said the hiker had become separated from a fellow hiker and was last seen at midnight. With decreasing temperatures, high wind chill, and mixed precipitation, concern was growing. Deputies would also discover the missing hiker was not properly dressed for the weather, and his phone battery had died.
The Sheriff’s Office said Sergeant S.H. Curtis and Deputy M.A. Holub of the Drone Team were called out to conduct a methodical search of the park. At 5:53 a.m. they observed the missing hiker. Using the drone, they were able to lead the rescue team directly to the missing hiker so they could bring him to safety.
The Sheriff’s Office said the work of the drone pilots “undoubtedly saved a life.”
For information on joinging the drone team: https://www.staffordsheriff.com/…/currentpositions.cfm
