WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — White County firefighters. the Georgia State Patrol and U.S. Forest Service were called on to rescue a lost hiker Wednesday evening.

The hiker had driven to US Forest Road 79 (Tray Mountain Road) in northern White County to begin the hike. White County Public Safety Director said he apparently became lost after veering off the path and could not find his way back to his vehicle.

Firefighters were contacted and they called in a Georgia State Patrol helicopter. The lost hiker was able to talk directly to the helicopter crew who guided the to Odis Barron Road in Habersham. U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement met him and escorted him to safety. He was not injured.

The incident lasted about 3 1/2 hours.