After a five-hour emergency effort involving several agencies, a hiker who had been exposed to extreme heat was rescued Sunday afternoon from Tallulah Gorge State Park.
EMS Director Jeff Adams reported that Habersham County Emergency Services (HCES) was called at 1:12 p.m. on July 27. To get to the patient, first responders had to climb into the gorge. Once there, they started treating the patient. In addition to providing patient care, Rabun County EMS treated rescuers who were harmed by the heat.
The patient was taken by Georgia DNR using a long-line aerial lift to a landing zone, where emergency medical technicians were waiting.
The tragedy occurs as state officials enforce new safety regulations at the well-known park and highlights the increasing dangers of hiking in intense temperatures.
New heat index policy
The Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Division recently implemented new heat-related limitations at Tallulah Gorge in response to a dramatic increase in search and rescue (SAR) events. Stair access into the gorge will be prohibited when the heat index hits the Extreme Caution rating set by the National Weather Service.
The restriction is not triggered by a particular temperature. The heat index combines humidity and air temperature to represent how hot it feels.
Over the past two years, park employees have responded to a growing number of incidents, many of which were caused by heat, exhaustion, and dehydration. Rescuers have occasionally needed medical care themselves.
Officials also advised visitors to take the appropriate safety measures when visiting the area and to schedule hikes during the cooler months.
The park is one of Georgia’s most physically taxing state parks because of its high terrain and 1,099-step stairs. The gorge floor can only be accessed with a daily permit.
