Yellowstone Launches Aerial Search for Missing Hiker
Yellowstone National Park officials initiated an aerial search on Sunday for 22-year-old Austin King, who vanished after embarking on a hike during harsh weather conditions.
The park’s public affairs office informed Cowboy State Daily that Superintendent Cam Sholly had called for an “extensive” search as the melting snow has now exposed previously inaccessible areas of the park.
Father Organizes Independent Search Efforts
In addition to the official search, Austin’s father, Brian King-Henke, has taken matters into his own hands by organizing independent search teams through a GoFundMe campaign to aid in the search efforts across the rugged Wyoming wilderness.
On October 2, Yellowstone National Park officials announced they had shifted their efforts from a search and “rescue” operation to “recovery” mode, indicating they are now searching for a presumed body.
A worker at Yellowstone National Park vanished just hours after he made an eerie phone call to his family.
— USA 24×7 (@USA24X7) September 26, 2024
Austin King, a 22-year-old concession employee at the park, was last heard from on September 17, after venturing out on September 14.#missing #missingperson #yellowstone pic.twitter.com/HzIizRhzoP
Volunteers Cautioned About Dangerous Terrain and Weather
“The park has maintained limited search efforts since scaling back,” a Yellowstone spokesperson told Cowboy State Daily via email. The spokesperson acknowledged that Austin King’s father, Brian King-Henke, is organizing independent search efforts and has been provided with details of the park’s ongoing operations.
Officials have also warned the volunteers of the dangerous terrain and incoming inclement weather, with snow expected as early as Thursday.
