BURKE COUNTY, N.C. – The Burke County Rescue Squad, along with a South Carolina rescue team, were at the Linville Gorge this weekend searching. The teams were looking for 48-year-old Dean Yelton, who has been missing since July.
Yelton was dropped off by a friend to go camping. When he was not heard from a week later, the friend contacted the sheriff's office. This is the fourth time they have been here searching for him
The rescue squad says it is important to do trainings like this, as the number of rescues they have been doing recently is increasing rapidly. On Labor Day weekend, they received nine calls and expect to have nearly 150 percent more calls than usual a year.
Battalions Chief Wesley Taylor says with more people going in the woods, it's important to remember and be prepared for anything.
"You never know what you'll encounter out here. You never know if a bad thunderstorm will roll in and you have to set up a camp real quick. If you come across one of your team members hurts themselves, breaks an ankle, you have to be able to take care of them, keep them dry until we can get them out," says Taylor.
Rescuers are asking you to know your limits before going on a hike and always remember to bring your ten essentials into the woods.
The ten essentials are:
- Navigation
- Sun Protection
- Insulation
- Illumination
- Fire-aid kit
- Fire
- Repair kits and tools
- Nutrition
- Hydration
- Emergency Shelter