Hiker Airlifted from Appalachian Trail Near Hawk Mountain After Medical Emergency

FANNIN COUNTY, Ga. – A 46-year-old man was rescued Saturday after becoming ill while hiking on the Appalachian Trail near Hawk Mountain in Fannin County.

According to emergency officials, Fannin County 911 received a call at approximately 10:39 a.m. on Feb. 21, 2026, reporting that the hiker had become ill and was unable to walk while traveling northbound on the trail.

Units from Fannin County EMA, local fire rescue personnel, and EMS responded and began navigating the remote section of the trail to reach the patient. Crews located the man, evaluated him, and provided medical treatment. Because he was non-ambulatory and the terrain was rugged, responders secured him in a stokes basket and carried him through difficult terrain to a suitable extraction point.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources was requested to provide aerial assistance. The patient was long-lined from the mountain to a designated landing zone near the summit of Hawk Mountain. There, he was transferred to Life Force for air transport to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

The multi-agency rescue operation spanned several hours and concluded shortly after 7 p.m., officials said.

Emergency personnel noted the response required coordination across agencies operating in challenging and remote conditions.

Authorities remind hikers to stay hydrated, understand their physical limits, share their hiking plans with someone, and carry adequate supplies and communication devices when venturing into remote areas. Officials said they are grateful for the coordinated response and expressed hopes for the patient’s full recovery.