At approximately 1:00 p.m. Sunday, a 66-year-old woman was rescued by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Aviation Unit after she sustained an ankle injury while hiking at Panther Creek Falls in Habersham County.
The area, located in the remote Chattahoochee National Forest, is difficult to access, necessitating specialized assistance.
The Details: Upon receiving the distress call, Habersham EMS and Rabun Emergency Management Agency teams hiked to the injured hiker’s location. The teams administered fluids and pain medications to stabilize her condition.
With the site being remote, the DNR Aviation Unit was called in to perform a helicopter rescue. Lieutenant Ryan Buller, Corporal Kalem Burns, and Game Warden Matt Kiracofe executed a short haul extraction, a technique used in challenging terrain where traditional methods are not feasible. The team successfully transported the woman approximately three miles west to Habersham Fire Station 17 in Clarkesville.
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What’s Next: After being safely delivered to the fire station, the injured hiker was transferred to EMS personnel. She was then taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Demorest for further evaluation and treatment. The quick and coordinated efforts of all involved ensured the woman received timely medical attention despite the challenging conditions.
