Mother and children rescued after getting lost on Panther Creek Trail

April 12, 2022

Search and rescue teams acted quickly Monday evening to rescue a family lost on Panther Creek Trail. The call came in to Habersham County E-911 about an hour and a half before sunset. The woman caller told dispatchers she hiked to the falls and couldn't find her way out.

Units from Habersham County Emergency Services, Lee Arrendale and Tallulah Falls Fire Departments, along with Habersham's Search and Rescue Team (HabSAR) responded to the scene within minutes.

"While responding, Habersham County E-911 advised units that the caller and five children were lost in the area of the falls," says HCES Capt. Matt Ruark. "After being advised, crews determined that they would have quicker access from a different access point and responded to that location."

The children ranged in age from 4 to 16 years, Ruark says.

At 7:05 p.m., rescuers entered the trail on ATVs and, fifteen minutes later, found the missing family approximately 3.5 miles in to the trail.

"None of the subjects were having any medical issues and were assisted out of the trail and returned to their vehicles," Ruark says.

Panther Creek Trail still closed for repairs

Panther Creek near Turnerville is one of Habersham's most popular hiking trails, but it currently officially remains closed to the public. The U.S. Forest Service shut down the trail for repairs in October 2020 after high water events from tropical storms washed out sections of the path and bridges.

"In addition, high winds and saturated soils led to a higher number of downed trees impacting hiker safety," the USFS says on its website.

Ruark says current trail conditions "make it difficult for hikers as well as rescuers when searching for lost or injured subjects."

The picnic area in the Panther Creek Recreation Area near the trailhead is open. The Forest Service has not announced when it plans to reopen the trail.