(WKYT) – A multi-agency rescue team executed a nighttime helicopter hoist to rescue an injured 18-year-old hiker stranded near the Laurel River Dam on Friday night, authorities said.
The rescue began Friday afternoon after dispatchers at the Whitley County 911 Center pinned the location of an injured hiker using GPS coordinates.
According to first responders, the teen had been hiking with three friends near a waterfall in a remote area. While attempting to cross above the waterfall, he lost his footing and fell into the pool below, landing on a submerged rock.
Authorities say the fall left him with knee and ankle injuries, leaving him unable to free himself or climb out of the gorge.
Rescue efforts were initially stymied by geography and weather. The Corbin Fire Department set up a technical high-angle rope rescue system to reach him, while the Woodbine Search and Rescue Squad launched an inflatable Zodiac rescue boat below the Laurel River Dam power plant. However, extremely low water conditions forced the boat crew to abandon their route.
At approximately 7:45 p.m., state emergency officials requested help from the Kentucky State Police Aircraft Support Branch.
A KSP helicopter, working alongside Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1, hoisted the hiker from the gorge under cover of darkness. A specialized paramedic from Georgetown-Scott County EMS accompanied the flight crew to administer advanced medical care.
The hiker was flown to Williamsburg-Whitley County Airport and transferred to a local hospital. His current condition was not immediately available.