Last Updated on September 17, 2026 3:13 pm
Multiple rescue agencies responded Monday to the south end of Rock Jock Trail in Linville Gorge after a juvenile hiker suffered an anaphylactic reaction to yellow jacket stings.
According to Linville-Central Rescue Squad, the hiking group did everything right: they administered the patient's EpiPen and Benadryl, called 911, and gave rescuers an exact location. Linville-Central responded on a mutual aid call to assist Burke County EM and Burke Rescue.
A Burke County hasty team hiked 1.1 rugged miles with roughly 873 feet of elevation change to reach the patient, carrying ALS medication, oxygen, and gear. Volunteers from Linville-Central hiked in a rescue litter and wheel in case the patient wasn't able to hike out after treatment.
Advanced life support care stabilized the patient, who was able to hike out in a harness with rescuer assistance and was transported by Burke County EMS to a hospital for further care.
Linville-Central Rescue Squad logged 15 volunteer hours on the mission and thanked Burke Rescue, Burke EMS, Oak Hill Fire & Rescue, McDowell County Rescue Squad, Ashford-North Cove VFD, and Longtown VFD for their help.
The squad, an all-volunteer, donor-supported nonprofit, used the incident to highlight wilderness safety heading into peak yellow jacket season. Yellow jackets nest in the ground and become more aggressive as they forage into fall, typically peaking in September and October. Officials recommend hikers know the signs of anaphylaxis — hives, swelling, trouble breathing, throat tightness, and dizziness — carry an EpiPen with a backup if allergic, and call or text 911 immediately in an emergency, even after using an EpiPen, while sharing an exact location as quickly as possible.
