Kisatchie National Forest, LA (3/3/2023) – Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office reported on Thursday evening, March 2, 2023, at approximately 7:00 pm, a search team from Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #4, US Forest Service and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a NATCOM 911 Center call from a lost hiker on the Backbone Trail in Kisatchie National Forest requesting assistance according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
The hiker from New York, who had recently been conducting surveys in different areas of the Kisatchie National Forest, decided that he wanted to explore the different sights and sounds of the forest after completing his work assignment for the day.
He decided to take a hike on the Carolina Backbone Trail. The hiker misjudged the sunset, losing his only source of light. He suddenly became lost with low cellphone battery life; however, he could ping his location to friends and call the Sheriff’s Office for assistance.
Members of Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #4 joined US Forest Service Rangers and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies on the Longleaf Trail near the Carolina Backbone Trail.
The search team with radios and the ping location entered the trail and hiked to the ping location. The search eventually continued to an area where they found the hiker unharmed approximately 1/4 of a mile from the ping location around 9:30 pm.
The hiker, identified as 23-year-old J . Devaraj from New York, was assisted and lead back to his vehicle parked on the Longleaf Trail.
Mr. Devaraj did not require medical attention.
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office thanks Natchitoches Parish Fire District #4 and the US Forest Service for their assistance this evening in a safe rescue.
