SANTA CRUZ, California – A hiker missing for 10 days has been found safe in the mountains of Northern California, authorities said.
Lukas McClish, 34, left the rural community of Boulder Creek for a hike on June 11 and was reported missing on June 16, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
Witnesses heard someone screaming for help Thursday, and search crews were able to locate McClish with drones in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, more than seven miles from Boulder Creek, the sheriff’s office said.
Photos show McClish covered in dirt hugging family members in an emotional reunion. He was not injured during the 10 days and said KGO-TV he managed to drink water during the ordeal. He said he got lost during what was supposed to be a three-hour walk and was unable to recognize some landmarks destroyed by the fires.
McClish said he was moved to see all the researchers searching for him.
“It was really humiliating,” he told the TV station.
McClish did not respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment.
Boulder Creek is in the Santa Cruz Coastal Mountains and is about 68 miles (109.44 kilometers) south of San Francisco.
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Associated Press researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report.
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