70-Year-Old Hiker Rescued After Nearly Week-Long Search on Isle Royale
A 70-year-old hiker missing for almost seven days on Isle Royale was found injured and hypothermic and airlifted to a hospital after a coordinated rescue effort involving the Coast Guard, state police and volunteers.
The Coast Guard and Michigan State Police said a 70-year-old hiker who vanished on Sept. 5 was rescued Saturday on Isle Royale National Park after nearly a week of searching. Craig Berg was discovered injured and suffering from hypothermia by a team that included volunteer backpackers, K-9 units and law-enforcement officers.
"We’re thankful that missing hiker, Craig Berg, was found alive and alert on Isle Royale," state police Lt. Ben Eckola said, adding that the collaboration among responders was key to locating him safely. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Traverse City lifted Berg and transported him to Marquette Regional Airport, where emergency medical services took him to a hospital. "This rescue is a testament to teamwork and what can be accomplished when first responders and members of the community come together," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Wendy Janson, command duty officer for the Coast Guard’s Sector Northern Great Lakes. "We are extremely grateful we were able to get Mr. Berg safely off the island and deliver him to the medical care he needed," Janson added.