UPDATE: He has been found and is "alive and responsive," a family member told FOX 13. The Washington County Sheriff's Office said he was found in a canyon after searchers located and tracked shoe impressions that were consistent with his, and he was ultimately rescued by the Utah Department of Safety helicopter and a search and rescue high-angle team. He was treated for hypothermia symptoms and has now been reunited with his parents.
Original story:
ST. GEORGE, Utah — A teenager has been reported missing in St. George after being separated from his hiking group on the Red Mountain Trail.
15-year-old Britton Kelsey was last seen wearing a royal blue hooded sweatshirt and a gray colored athletic shorts.
The hiking group originally split into two groups and it was reported that Kelsey had fallen behind the first group and was believed to have met up with the second group.
Sheriff's deputies and Search and Rescue volunteers responded to begin to search for the teenager Friday night.
As the sun went down and temperatures dropped to freezing, air support from Intermountain Healthcare and The Utah Department of Public Safety was brought in to try and find the teenager,
Operations were temporarily stopped around midnight but search efforts started again Saturday morning.
The Sheriff's Office is asking that any volunteers assisting with the search wear bright colored clothing in order to be clearly identified and not further complicate search efforts.
Watch FOX 13 for updates.
