Last Updated on July 23, 2025 9:56 am
On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Avery County Emergency Management and Linville Central Rescue responded to the Harper's Creek area of Avery County to initiate a search and rescue operation for two lost hikers. The preliminary information was that the hikers were in the area hiking and had been in there for about 9 hours attempting to locate a way out of the area and back to their original starting point.
Avery County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit responded to assist with the ongoing search efforts.
Detective Ridge Phillips who was the on-call Drone Pilot, responded to the area to assist Emergency Management and Linville Central Rescue with their search operation. Detective Phillips determined an area to perform a concentrated search and deployed a drone. Within hours, Detective Phillips flying in complete darkness was able to utilize thermal imaging on the drone to successfully locate the lost hikers and actually communicate with them via the on board loud speaker.
We are very thankful for the outcome of this search and the efforts of our personnel as well as our partners with Emergency Management and Linville Central Rescue. Without the diligent response during this situation, it could have been very different and a tragic end for two lost hikers.
Thanks for your dedication and service,
Mike Henley, Sheriff
Photos: Linville-Central Rescue Squad
