Army Helicopter Team Hoists Critically Injured Hunter From Deep Georgia Ravine In Nighttime Rescue

A U.S. Army helicopter rescue team hoisted a critically injured hunter from a steep ravine during a nighttime operation in the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area.

Fannin County Search and Rescue and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources began searching Saturday after receiving a report of a missing hunter. DNR personnel made contact with him shortly after 7 p.m., finding him several miles off the trail and thousands of feet below the surrounding terrain.

Because of the steep ravine, a ground evacuation was considered unsafe. Darkness and weather also ruled out most helicopter options, prompting the Army’s Camp Merrill helicopter rescue team from Dahlonega to carry out a nighttime hoist.

The hunter was lifted from the ravine and taken to a nearby hospital. Officials have not disclosed his identity or the nature of his injuries.