PELLSTON, Mich. – An HH-65C rescue helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City assisted in the search for a murder suspect being pursued by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on the ground in the Wilderness State Park, 10-miles northwest of Pellston Saturday at 6:55 a.m..
The aircrew hoisted the individual into the helicopter along with a paramedic and transported them to an awaiting ambulance and law enforcement officers at the Harbor Springs Airport in Harbor Springs, Mich.
With an Emmett County Deputy Sheriff on board, they spotted fresh trails through the wooded terrain and directed the ground searchers to the individual.
After taking the individual into custody, the ground searchers requested the aircrew’s assistance to evacuate the individual to a hospital. The individual was found to be suffering from exposure to the cold, and his condition would not allow transportation by snowmobile from the remote location.
The Coast Guard worked in joint coordination with the Macomb County, Emmet County Sheriff’s Departments, the Michigan State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to locate the individual safely.