Thompson SAR rescues lost hiker

There was jubilation Wednesday afternoon in Libby’s David Thompson Search and Rescue building when the call came in that a man reported missing earlier that day was found.

According to Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short, a 51-year-old man had left his parent’s home in Troy Tuesday and reportedly went to the Lincoln County Shooting Complex outside of Libby.

The man then apparently headed to the China Mountain area with his dog to take a hike.

When he didn’t return Wednesday morning, his parents called to report him missing.

While David Thompson SAR members began a ground search in the China Face area, others waited to hear if Two Bear Air could aid in the search.

But at 1:42 p.m., the call came in that he had been found and was tired, but not injured.

SAR member Jon Obst said his vehicle was found parked at a gate on a Kootenai National Forest road.

Eight ground searchers embarked and he was found on the road behind the gate.

“It’s great he was found OK and we want to give a big thanks to our volunteers and their employers who give their employees the ability to go out and search when the need arised,” Obst said.