A 19-year-old is in critical condition after a fall in the Pocket Wilderness near Soddy Daisy Saturday morning.
It was reported three young men traveled from Nashville to hike in the Pocket Wilderness. While on their hike, one of the young hikers slipped on the trail and fell 15 feet down the bluff, hit his head on a rock, and fell in a shallow creek.
At noon, one of the hikers called 911 for help. The Mowbray Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and Tennesse State Parks responded to Upper Hog Skin Branch (second entrance to Pocket Wilderness). When the Mowbray Volunteer Fire Department arrived, they immediately called for a Mutual Aid response for additional help. Hamilton County Emergency Services, Waldens Ridge Emergency Services, Sequoyah VFD, Hamilton County Cave and Cliff team, Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue responded.
The responders had to climb 200 feet up the bluff to get to the injured youth. Hamilton County EMS treated his injuries before extricating him in a Stokes basket on a rope line.
At 1:30 p.m., the responders placed him on Walden Ridge's six-wheeler and transported him to an ambulance where they drove him to the landing zone area to meet Life Force helicopter personnel. He was flown to Erlanger Hospital.
The name of the victim is not being released at this time.