Missing huckleberry picker found safe
Kuy Lonh, 54, was found early Friday morning after becoming lost in the woods north of Bonners Ferry while picking huckleberries.
(Photo courtesy BOUNDARY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)
A lost huckleberry picker was found early Friday morning and is in good spirit after being lost in the mountains of Boundary County for almost two days.
Kuy Lonh was located around 5:20 a.m. Friday by a rescue helicopter crew from Two-Bear Air Rescue of Kalispell, Mont.
“He is in good spirits and is being evaluated by medics after spending his second night in the woods,” said Andrew O'Neel, public information officer and director of the county's Office of Emergency Management. “Mr. Lonh was not alone, however. He was accompanied by his friend’s dog the whole time, a black Labrador mix named ‘Lucky.’ ”
Lonh, 54, was last seen around 4 p.m. Wednesday while picking huckleberries in the vicinity of Bethlehem Mine/Camp Nine Road. He was reported missing about 10 p.m. that night, prompting the activation of Boundary County Search and Rescue, said Andrew O'Neel, public information officer and director of the county's Office of Emergency Management.
The rescue helicopter had been requested by Incident Command Thursday afternoon to perform an aerial search early Friday while the landscape was cool and infrared equipment could be used effectively.
Searchers were operating from a tip they received after midnight last night from through-hikers who were camping in the area, O’Neel said.
“The hikers said they saw a man with a dog matching Mr. Lonh’s description earlier yesterday around 5:30 p.m. and that he was heading up Bussard Mountain to seek high ground,” he added.
O’Neel said a helicopter crew headed to the location Friday morning and spotted Lonh. A rescuer was lowered to the man’s location to lead him to a suitable helicopter pick-up point.
The overall search was led by Boundary County Search and Dive Rescue from an Incident Command Post located in North Bench Fire Association’s fore station on Camp 9 Road. Searchers from North Bench Fire, Paradise Valley Fire, and South Boundary Fire, and Bonner County Sheriff Search and Rescue assisted in the search. The Boundary County Chaplain’s Corps and North Bench Fire provided logistical support.