Share

Missing hiker found on Mount St Helens ate berries, bees

An Ohio man who was missing on Mount St Helens was found on Wednesday on a flank of the peak nearly a week after he set out on a day hike and survived by eating berries and bees, authorities and the man's relatives said.

Matthew B Matheny, 40, of Warren, Ohio, was in good condition, talking and did not appear to have suffered life-threatening injuries but was flown to a hospital to spend the night as a precaution, the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

His parents told reporters outside the Vancouver, Washington hospital that he was being treated for dehydration and would stay overnight, adding that he ate berries and killed bees that he also ate.

Matheny, 40, was not familiar with the terrain, got lost and had not seen anyone since August 9, they said.

Friends last saw Matheny when he borrowed a car and headed to Blue Lake Trail on the southwest side of St Helens. They reported him missing after he failed to return, prompting a search. A sheriff's deputy found the borrowed Subaru Outback at the trailhead on Saturday.

About 30 search-and-rescue personnel, assisted by helicopters, tracking dogs and a drone operated by the sheriff's office searched for him daily.

Searchers on Tuesday decided to focus on a 2.6-square-km area based on cellphone signals and a computer model that sought to predict Matheny's movements.

Blue Lake Trail is a short walk through meadows and tall fir trees to Blue Lake, according to the Washington Trails Association. Beyond the lake, hikers can access other trails and ridges, leading to views of Mount St Helens and Mount Adams.

Matheny was found below a different trail, authorities said.

"He was in the free forest at this point. He lost the trail, he fell down the steep back," said Paul Pepper, another member of the rescue team.




We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 189 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 273 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.07
-0.9%
Rand - Pound
24.07
-0.7%
Rand - Euro
20.56
-0.5%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.37
-0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.8%
Platinum
899.20
+0.3%
Palladium
999.25
-0.3%
Gold
2,210.66
+0.7%
Silver
24.56
-0.4%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,080
+0.6%
All Share
74,278
+0.5%
Resource 10
56,967
+2.4%
Industrial 25
103,572
+0.3%
Financial 15
16,456
-0.4%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE