4/29/08 UPDATE: Farid Varyannay, the Albuquerque man who went missing overnight after separating from fellow hikers on La Luz Trail early Sunday, was rescued when someone riding the Sandia Peak Tram spotted the man lying near the bottom of a cliff near Tower 2 of the Tramway, Department of Public Safety spokesman Peter Olson said in a news release.

A State Police helicopter was able to locate the man and guide other rescue resources to the spot, Olson said.

The Santa Fe-based Air National Guard Medivac Company dispatched a Blackhawk helicopter to the location and lowered a paramedic to the man who was unable to walk because of an injured leg, according to the release.

The Blackhawk then hoisted the injured hiker out of the rugged terrain and flew him to a rendezvous with an ambulance, which took him to University of New Mexico Hospital for treatment, Olson said.

12:20pm 4/28/08 UPDATE: The missing hiker has been identified at 40-year-old Farid Varyanny of Albuquerque, according to KRQE News 13.

The man, who was missing overnight, was spotted by an operator of the Sandia Peak Tramway near one of the tram's towers, and rescuers were attempting to rappel down the tower to bring the hiker to safety, News 13 reported.

A 40-year-old hiker who left two fellow hikers on La Luz Trail early Sunday went missing for about 16 hours until he was spotted lying on a rock near the Sandia Peak Tram this morning,  KOB-TV is reporting.

Rescuers were trying to figure out the best way to reach the hiker, who appeared injured, Eyewitness News 4 reported.

6:35am -- Search On for Missing Hiker: 40-year-old hiker separated from friends while on La Luz Trail on Sunday.

Search crews began looking for a 40-year-old man around 10:30 p.m. Sunday and continued through the night without finding a 40-year-old man who was hiking with friends on the La Luz Trail but separated earlier in the day, KOAT-TV is reporting.

Searchers looked from the east side of the mountain all the way toward Tramway Boulevard on the west side, but as of early today had found no sign of the man, who is said to be an experienced hiker and familiar with the area, Action 7 News reported.

The man reportedly had a backpack with food and was carrying a cell phone, but all calls to his number have been going to voicemail, according to KOAT-TV.

Searchers were expected to resume at first light this morning, with additional crews and K-9 units joining the search, KOB-TV is reporting.

The man was wearing just a T-shirt and shorts, according to KOB-TV, and searchers were concerned for his safety as temperatures near the crest dropped sharply overnight. 

Your Name:

Your Email Address:

Rate this article:
Poor Great

Comment:

BOLD

"QUOTE"

UNDERLINE