Missing camper found alive - Marcus Conroy Reports
It's being called a miracle.
After apparently being injured but still moving around in the Daniel Boone National Forest for days, a missing camper is found alive in Laurel County.
25 year-old Ryan Larke is now recovering at UK Hospital after saying he survived on creek water.
Officials say his injuries are not believed to be life threatening, but say they are glad they found him when they did.
At 6:30 Wednesday night, about four nights since Ryan Larke disappeared, an ambulance pulled in after word that he was found.
"This is great news. It's definitely the best news we could've received," said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo from the Laurel County Sheriff's Department.
Less than an hour later, Larke was brought back to the road on a stretcher in the back of an ATV.
"Great. Great that we found him and he's alive. That's the best feeling in the world," said Tony Brown from the London-Laurel County Rescue Squad.
Brown, Andrew Tackett with Bluegrass Search and Rescue, and his German Shepherd were searching the woods not far from the campsite.
"I heard something, and asked, 'Did you hear that?' I said hold on, let's get the dog quiet," said Brown.
"I guess he heard us getting close. He yelled, and we went straight to him," said Tackett.
Brown says Larke was only wearing a T-shirt, blue jeans, socks and one shoe.
"He was complaining of pains in his knees where he had fallen, and his feet. Which is understandable where he was missing a shoe," said Brown.
Larke was wrapped up tightly to keep him warm, and once crews loaded him in the ambulance. He was taken away and eventually flown to UK Hospital.
Officials say it's a miracle Larke survived the cold and damp nights.
"It's a blessing that we found him," said Brown.
Police called Larke's family, but could only leave a message, one they had been hoping to hear.
"I talked to him. He is coherent, seems to be in really good shape for what he's been through," said one Laurel County Sheriff's Deputy.
Crews told WYMT they do not know why Larke wandered away from the campsite on Saturday night, and said they wanted to get him treated first before asking him questions.
Larke's condition at UK Hospital is not yet known, but he is expected to be ok.
One of the men who rescued Larke, Tony Brown, is a former WYMT weatherman. He now works for the London Fire Department.
