70-Year-Old Hiker Rescued After Week-Long Search in Isle Royale National Park
A 70-year-old man missing for a week in Isle Royale National Park was rescued by Coast Guard and state police, having been treated for hypothermia.
A 70-year-old hiker who disappeared on Sept. 5 while on a solo trek in Isle Royale National Park was found alive and alert on Saturday, officials said. The man, identified as Craig Berg of Royal Oak, Michigan, was suffering from hypothermia when Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City helicopters lifted him to safety, after which he was taken to a regional airport in Gwinn for emergency medical evaluation.
The rescue involved multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan State Police, the National Park Service, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. A Coast Guard boat, drones, seaplanes and K-9 units also participated in the search.
"We’re also thankful to the fellow hikers who helped, Isle Royale Seaplanes, and No One Left Behind K9 Search and Rescue. Everyone’s efforts played an important part in finding Craig," said Lt. Ben Eckola, a Michigan State Police public information officer.
Berg had arrived on the remote island on Aug. 27 for an extended hike and failed to return home on Sept. 5. The park, located in Lake Superior near the Canadian border, has limited infrastructure and often unreliable cell service, which can complicate rescue efforts.