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Father, son find hiker stranded on Mt. Olympus for 3 days

Posted at 8:01 PM, Nov 03, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-04 21:26:41-05

MOUNT OLYMPUS, Utah - Search and rescue crews were able to rescue a man trapped on Mount Olympus for more than three days after a father and son hiking in the area heard his calls for help.

The 19-year-old hiker had spent at least three days on the mountain without water, a cell phone or any other survival equipment. He'd been hiking alone and somehow took a wrong turn, leading him off the path into rough terrain, then onto a cliff with nowhere else to go.

On Saturday, father and son Michael and Jackson Steed were hiking in that remote area over the weekend. 17-year-old Jackson left his father to explore the mountain when he heard cries for help. Following the voice, he was able to communicate with the man, but couldn't see him through the thick brush or get to him because of dangerous terrain.

"He was really frantic. He was almost crying; yelling for help," Jackson said. "I asked him how long he'd been there and he said 4 days, 3 days without water."

Jackson reassured the man that help was on its way before he reunited with his father and called emergency services. Air and ground search and rescue crews were deployed and able to reach the man.

The missing hiker was brought down the mountain via helicopter. He was dehydrated and very tired, but didn't suffer any serious injuries.