N.C. State Park Director Issues Statement on Successful Rescue Operation at Morrow Mountain State Park

RALEIGH -- 'On behalf of the North Carolina state parks system, I wish to thank all of the local law enforcement agencies, fire departments and volunteers who assisted our staff in the successful search and rescue of Kyle Whitman at Morrow Mountain State Park,' North Carolina State Parks Director Lewis Ledford said. 'We are all relieved and thankful that Kyle was found safe and is being reunited with his family. In addition to being environmental educators and law enforcement officers, our ranger staff are thoroughly trained in search and rescue, incident command and first responder procedures and are fully prepared to respond in cases where park visitors are injured or lost. Their comprehensive training and professionalism played a critical role in today's successful rescue.'