BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — A North Carolina pastor who was reported missing in the Linville Gorge was found Wednesday afternoon during a large scale search for the man, officials said.
Ronald Brookshire was found around 3 p.m.
Family members became concerned when Brookshire, 59, didn't return from a daytime hike Tuesday.
Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty was with Burke County deputies as they searched one of the trails on the western side of the Linville Gorge.
They never stopped moving, even during Faherty’s interview.
Rescuers began searching for Brookshire around 8 p.m. Tuesday.
By lunchtime Wednesday, there were dozens of volunteers from several departments across western North Carolina looking for him.
Rescuers are calling for help from Avery, Caldwell, Mitchell, Buncombe, Henderson, and Haywood counties. pic.twitter.com/mwxaotO5w9
— Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) June 29, 2016
"This is probably one of the more treacherous places east of the Mississippi,” said Capt. Jimmy Winters.
"Sometimes if you walk off the trail to the river, you can get turned around looking for that particular trail,” said Burke Emergency Services Capt. Brad Browning.
Faherty was with one search and rescue team as they scrambled to get in the woods after one of the searchers became dehydrated.
A short time later, another search team located Brookshire, who was at one time a pastor at a church in Wilkes County.
Just got this pic of Ronald Brookshire. He is a pastor from Wilkes County and is reported missing in the Gorge. pic.twitter.com/ad5YiMqv4q
— Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) June 29, 2016
"I didn't plan on staying the night, but I had to. I got off trail and ended up in a mess,” Brookshire said.
“What were you dealing with last night?” Faherty asked.
“Well I got off trail so I slept on a rock,” Brookshire said.
He is thankful for all of those who came out to help.
"Oh, I really appreciate them coming and finding me, absolutely," Brookshire said.
Brookshire said he doesn't plan on hiking in the gorge anytime soon.
Firefighters said the rescuer who became dehydrated should be all right.
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