GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A missing man at Crowders Mountain was found with the help of drones, according to the Gaston County Police Department.
Just before 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, officers got a call from a lost hiker at Crowders Mountain State Park. Park rangers were dispatched to the area and were able to contact the hiker by phone, but it was on low battery and soon stopped working, officials said.
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The Gaston County Police Drone Unit was asked to help due to the time of day and rough terrain around the hiker.
A drone was launched from the summit of King’s Pinnacle and the hiker immediately shouted for help when they saw it. With the use of thermal technology, the drone was able to quickly pinpoint the hiker’s location.
Police say the hiker was not injured and was able to safely make it back to the state park office by park rangers.