On Saturday, a joint rescue team from Raleigh responded to an emergency on Grandfather Mountain, a well‑known peak in western North Carolina. The team, part of the state’s NCHART (North Carolina Helicopter Air Rescue Team), was dispatched after a 21‑year‑old hiker fell 50 feet on the popular Profile Trail.
Captain Daniel Richardson of the Raleigh Fire Department and firefighter Jason Ceisner boarded a North Carolina State Highway Patrol helicopter in Raleigh. The aircraft, piloted by Brad Jones, covered roughly 200 miles, navigating stormy conditions to reach the mountain’s summit.
“Time was of the essence,” pilot Brad Jones said, describing the urgency of the mission. While Jones kept the helicopter steady, Richardson and Ceisner were lowered on a narrow rope to the rugged terrain. They fought through thick, slippery brush before linking up with ground rescue crews.
Once the injured hiker was secured, the team lifted him back into the helicopter. The patient was then air‑lifted to a hospital in Tennessee, where he arrived alive and stable. “I really hope that he does well,” Ceisner added, offering to stay in contact with the survivor.
The rescue highlights the capabilities of NCHART, a collaborative network that includes the North Carolina National Guard, the State Highway Patrol and firefighters from about ten agencies across the state. Wes Powell, the emergency services coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management, noted that the team has responded to three requests this year.
“This year so far, we’ve seen three actual requests for NCHART,” Powell said, emphasizing the importance of having a specialized aerial rescue capability for situations where ground access is dangerous or impossible.
Brad Jones reflected on the mission, saying, “It means the world to us. That’s the greatest feeling you can get: to try to help somebody.” The successful operation underscores the dedication of first‑responders who routinely travel long distances and face challenging weather to protect North Carolinians.
What NCHART Does
NCHART trains its members to conduct high‑altitude rescues, medical evacuations and search‑and‑rescue missions. By combining aviation expertise with ground rescue skills, the team can reach remote locations quickly, reducing the time victims spend in perilous conditions.
When a call comes in, the helicopter crew coordinates with local rescue teams, assesses the terrain, and determines the safest method of extraction. In this case, the steep, rocky summit required a rope‑based approach, allowing the firefighters to reach the hiker without endangering the aircraft.
Community Impact
Grandfather Mountain draws hikers, tourists and nature enthusiasts from across the region. Incidents like this remind visitors of the inherent risks of rugged outdoor recreation and the value of well‑trained emergency services.
Local officials and outdoor groups often stress the importance of preparation, proper equipment and awareness of weather conditions. The successful rescue serves as a testament to the collaborative effort between state agencies and local fire departments, reinforcing community confidence in emergency response capabilities.
Residents of Raleigh and the broader North Carolina area can take pride in the professionalism and bravery displayed by their first responders, who answered a call for help far from home and ensured a swift, life‑saving outcome.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
