The moment the good news came over the radio was “exhilarating,” Wolfe County Search and Rescue Chief John May told CNN. The search began on July 16, when Hern’s family realized where he had gone and contacted the search group, May told CNN. That night, a team searched for Hern until after midnight, but they couldn’t find him, the Wolfe County rescue group posted on Facebook. After July 8, Hern told rescuers he didn’t eat or drink anything, as his mouth was too dry to do so. From Wolfe County Search & RescueHern was hospitalized and was not able to walk on his own, the rescue group wrote on Facebook on July 22, two days after his rescue.

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