Overview
- Deputies announced shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday that search teams located the four hikers safe on the Bill Kimbrell Trail.
- The sheriff said rugged terrain required the group to be airlifted out, and there were no major injuries reported.
- Authorities identified the hikers as Tonda Michelin, 53, and her grandchildren Melody Bangs, 14, Michael Lawton, 11, and Dale (Kevin) Moser, 9.
- At least 50 personnel from multiple agencies, including National Guard support, used helicopters, drones, UTVs and K-9s to conduct the search.
- An evening 911 call with a nearly dead phone battery led responders to a white vehicle at the Raven Cliff Falls trailhead, which was closed during operations that briefly paused for fog while aircraft continued.