Local

Officials seeking person of interest after woman found tied to tree in NC mountains

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Rangers released a description of a person of interest after a North Carolina hiker was found tied to a tree in Buncombe County Thursday.

Officials are looking for a white man, around 50, with a partial beard and a salt-and-pepper colored hair.

Rescuers started looking for the woman after she sent texts to her friend and caretaker, who called 911 Thursday, according to reports.

Rescuers found the 64-year-old female hiker off a trail near Potato Fields Gap along the Blue Ridge Parkway about an hour after the 911 call.

She was transported to Mission Hospital. Officials said her condition was not known.

Anyone with information regarding this case are asked to call police.

Channel 9 will continue updating this story as new information becomes available.