Cherokee County Rescues Lost Fisherman in Multi-Agency Effort

Photo from the CCSAR Facebook page.

MURPHY, N.C. — A fisherman reported missing overnight was found safe on Tuesday, Aug. 12, after a coordinated search effort by Cherokee County Search and Rescue (CCSAR), the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Forest Service, and multiple local fire departments.

CCSAR was dispatched late Tuesday afternoon following a report of the missing fisherman. Despite light drizzle and overcast conditions, the all-volunteer CCSAR team mobilized quickly, prepared to search into the night if necessary. The rain, described as light enough that most volunteers did not need rain jackets, did not hinder the operation.

The search effort involved a robust response, with participating agencies deploying ATVs, drones, and boats to cover the area efficiently. After a few hours, the fisherman was located and safely recovered.

CCSAR expressed pride in their volunteers and the collaborative effort with other agencies. “We are proud of our all-volunteer team, showing up in the late afternoon, in the rain, in the middle of the week,” a CCSAR representative said in a social media post. “It was a great turnout, and we’re honored to be part of this team.”

No further details about the fisherman’s condition or the specific location of the search were released.