Missing Hiker

[schmalz]

http://www.modbee.com/2014/06/02/336936 ... r-old.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This story seems very lacking. Why is the search called off?

[TehipiteTom]

Answer here:

****Updated Informatiopn****
Inyo County has confirmed that overdue hiker Paul Turner age 78 has been located. Paul safely navigated his way to safety after accidentaly diverting from his intended course.

****Updated Information****
Tulare County Sheriff's department Search and Rescue Team working with the Inyo County Sheriff department have called off the search for overdue hiker Paul Turner age 78. Subject can not be located.
Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. (559)733-6218.

**Original Press Release**
The Tulare County Sheriff's department Search and Rescue Team is currently searching for a 78 year old hiker in the Kennedy Meadows area of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. No further information is available at this time. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

Weird thing is, it looks like he had been found by May 31 (if that date applies to the update rather than the original press release, which is unclear). But if that's the case, why don't the later stories mention it?

ETA: Okay, looks like he was found after the search was called off.

[schmalz]

Thanks for the clarification Tom.

[AlmostThere]

If they had no leads, no clues, no idea, all they could do was walk the route he intended to walk and interview potential witnesses. If that produced nothing - it probably did, if they didn't have a very accurate description or recent picture to circulate - next step is to call it off and wait for another report or clue or hint of where he might be. Actually people are lousy witnesses - questioning people on trail on one search led to complete misidentification of a subject since the reporting parties gave wrong information - so I can see how it would be frustratingly fruitless to walk a trail and find nothing.

It's really important to leave accurate, detailed information. Glad he's okay.