Burke County, N.C. — A Blackhawk helicopter was used to rescue an injured hiker in the Linville Gorge Sunday afternoon.
According to our newspaper partners at the Morganton News-Herald, the hiker and his friend went into the gorge to do some rock climbing. Lt. J. Hood, with Burke County Emergency Medical Services, told the Herald the hiker fell while climbing.
That hiker is in stable condition but had to be flown out by helicopter due to his injuries.
[READ MORE: Local first responders assist in rescuing camper at Linville Gorge, officials say]
The first 911 call came in around 10:30 a.m. and the rescue took a little over six hours.
The injured hiker was flown to the Morganton-Lenoir Airport where he was placed in an ambulance and taken to the hospital.
[READ MORE: 31-year-old free climber falls to his death at Linville Gorge]
Hood said the hikers were very experienced but had not visited the Linville Gorge before Sunday. He encouraged anyone planning to do any hiking to make sure they have everything they could need.
“Be prepared for any type of incident,” he said.
[READ MORE: Why Burke County officials are warning inexperienced hikers to stay at home]
The NC Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, Burke County Rescue Squad, NC National Guard, Burke County Emergency Management, Burke County EMS, Burke County EMS Special Ops Team, National Forest Service and NC Emergency Management all responded to the call.
>> Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty is speaking with rescue crews Monday and will have more on this story on Eyewitness News at 5.
Cox Media Group
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