The family of a Texas man missing for nearly a week says he has been found alive in a remote region of the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas.
According to CNN, 38-year-old Joshua McClatchy disappeared after texting his mother on June 1 that he had become lost during his hike along the Caney Creek Wilderness Area’s Buckeye Trail.
The disappearance sparked a widespread search and rescue effort in the area. Reports show the Polk County Sheriff’s Office deployed drones and bloodhounds to scour the forest and attempted to locate McClatchy via cellphone data.
At about 10:30 p.m. on Friday, searchers reportedly spotted him after noticing his flashlight. Hours later, he had been transported to a safe area. As of the latest updates available, he was being treated at Mena Regional Health System.
“He is well,” said his sister, Miranda Balduf. “He is recovering from dehydration. He is really good.”
According to an acquaintance, McClatchey had not had any water for days before he was rescued.
Balduf went on to describe the feeling when she realized her brother was headed her way.
“This land is anything but flat,” she wrote in a social media post. “It was spectacular seeing headlamps approach from the dark distance, and then seeing Josh’s face as the strongest men and women carried him out.”
[Featured image: Joshua McClatchy GoFundMe]
