Missing Ironton man found alive in Kentucky

CAMPTON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — The efforts of a large-scale search for a missing Ohio man in the Red River Gorge paid off on Saturday.

Wolfe County Search and Rescue (WCSAR) announced on Facebook around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, “We are amazed to report that Scott has been located and is alive but in need of medical attention.”

WCSAR said 48-year-old Scott Hern of Ironton, Ohio, had allegedly last been spotted on July 6 near the area of Tower Rock Trail.

After days of searching for Hern , search teams reportedly used Friday as a rest and planning day before finding Hern on Saturday during a “large-scale search,” per WCSAR. Crews implemented multiple dog teams from the Kentucky Search Dog Association to aid in finding Hern.

After he was found by a five-person search team, crews requested assistance from the Kentucky State Police Department (KSP), which was able to “hoist” Hern via helicopter from where he was discovered and fly him to a hospital for treatment.

WCSAR said crews were astounded that Hern had survived over 12 days alone in the Red River Gorge area without food or water.

Search crews said rescue efforts for Hern remain underway. Hern was “in need of medical attention,” and rescue teams are currently working to fly him to a nearby hospital.

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