Mitzie Sue “Susan” Clements, 53, was hiking with her daughter near Andrews Bald mountain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN when the two became separated, the National Park Service said in a statement on Thursday. She hasn’t been seen since, triggering an extensive search operation across the park, authorities added.
Park staff said Mitzie Sue “Susan” Clements, of Cleves, Ohio, was hiking with her daughter on the Forney Ridge Trail, near Clingman’s Dome when the two became separated. She was last seen around 5 pm approximately a quarter-mile from Andrews Bald.
“Last night experienced searchers spent the night on the Appalachian Trail, attempting to locate Clements and to interview any hikers in the area,” the statement said. “The search continues this morning with approximately 40 trained members of the park’s Search and Rescue Team.”
Park officials were alerted that Clements was missing on Tuesday evening and began to search the immediate area with no success. On Wednesday, officials expanded the search area, and additional personnel were called in to search. Wednesday night experienced searchers spent the night on the Appalachian Trail, attempting to locate Clements and to interview any hikers in the area. The search resumed Thursday morning with approximately 40 trained members of the park’s search and rescue team.
Searchers are scheduled to remain outside until late this evening and depending on the weather, overnight, Julena Campbell of the National park Service told ABC News on Thursday afternoon.
Clements is described as a 5-feet-6-inch tall white female with light brown hair and blue eyes. She weighs 125 pounds and was wearing a green zip-up sweater, black workout pants over black leggings, a clear rain poncho, and white tennis shoes when she was last seen.
The National Park Service asked the public or anyone who saw Clements on Tuesday afternoon or since to contact the agency’s investigative branch through email at nps_isb@nps.gov or call them at 1-888-653-0009.
where’s the freakin MAP!!!w