A 70-year-old man who vanished a week ago while hiking in Isle Royale National Park was found “alive and alert” Saturday, according to officials.
Craig Berg was suffering from hypothermia when he was rescued by Coast Guard and Michigan State Police crews, officials said.
“The Coast Guard and Michigan State Police rescued an injured, ailing man Saturday after he went missing in Isle Royale National Park on Sept. 5,” the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes said.
Video released by authorities shows a helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City hoisting Berg from the ground. He was then taken to a regional airport in Gwinn for emergency medical evaluation.
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Officials did not disclose what happened to Berg while he was missing or provide additional details about his injuries.
Berg was spotted by “good Samaritan” backpackers in the park Saturday before Michigan State Police foot patrols and K-9 units reached him, according to officials.
Multiple agencies and resources were deployed to aid the emergency search, which also included a 45-foot Coast Guard boat, drones and seaplanes.
The search involved the National Park Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol and Minnesota Department of Public Safety, according to Lt. Ben Eckola, a Michigan State Police public information officer.
“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,” Eckola said in a statement.
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The Detroit Free Press reported that Berg, of Royal Oak, Michigan, arrived at the national park on Aug. 27 for an extended solo hike but failed to return home Sept. 5.
Isle Royale National Park is located on a remote island in Lake Superior near the Canadian border.
Due to its remote location, Isle Royale is one of the least-visited national parks and has limited infrastructure.
Berg’s wife, Debbie, told the Detroit Free Press that only two rangers are stationed on the island and that the park has two camp stores and a lodge.
According to the park’s website, cell phone service is often “unreliable,” and many types of equipment are generally prohibited on the island, including bicycles, motorized vehicles and drones.
