
Missing US hiker, 70, found injured on remote island after week-long search
Craig Berg was hypothermic but alert when located on Isle Royale by Michigan police and officials during solo hike
A 70-year-old hiker who had been missing for a week on a Michigan island was rescued on Saturday, according to the US Coast Guard.
Craig Berg was located on Isle Royale with the help of backpackers, Michigan state police troopers and local officials. Even though Berg was found injured and hypothermic, he is âÂÂalive and alertâÂÂ, according to a statement posted to the Isle Royale national parkâÂÂs Facebook page.
After Berg was located, a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from US Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City hoisted Berg from the island and transported him to Marquette regional airport in Gwinn, Michigan, 140 miles (230km) away.
The Isle Royale national parkâÂÂs statement reported that Berg had been missing since 5 September.
Berg was on what was planned as a nine-day solo backpacking hike on the large Lake Superior island. He was supposed to take a ferry back to MichiganâÂÂs Upper Peninsula on 5 September, but family members said that he did not arrive home.
According to Local 4, a Detroit station, BergâÂÂs family reported him missing when the hiker did not return as planned. Search and rescue missions began on 6 September.
Crews first focused on Rock Harbor, where Berg planned to end his hike, then expanded to other areas â including the Greenstone Ridge trail, where a trail camera captured Berg on 30 August, the report added.
In an interview with TV6, BergâÂÂs son, Evan, said that he is happy and relieved that his father has been located.
âÂÂHe was in rough shape, but heâÂÂs okay,â Evan said. âÂÂHeâÂÂs able to speak. He asked for food and water. WeâÂÂre just so grateful, and we couldnâÂÂt be more happy and relieved, and we appreciate all the support weâÂÂve had on social media, and we are just so grateful.âÂÂ
The National Park Service thanks the employees and partners who helped during the search.
âÂÂIsle Royale is a remote national park with no roads or wheeled vehicles allowed. Ground search teams navigating the islandâÂÂs 200 sq miles of solid land must move strictly by foot through dense boreal forest and rocky ridges.
BergâÂÂs rescue brings a successful conclusion to an intensive, week-long multi-agency operation across the remote, roadless island.
