Apr 29, 2008
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A 362-pound hiker from Oregon became ill while hiking the Appalachian Trail and had to be rescued.
Greeneville Emergency and Rescue Squad member Kevin Ayers said 62-year-old Ross John Sieja was on a two-to-three-day hike when he became sick and had to take refuge at a shelter.
It was not immediately clear how long Sieja had been at the shelter when other hikers found him on Saturday and used a cell phone to call for help.
Rescuers from Tennessee and North Carolina were able to bring Sieja out the same day using an all-terrain vehicle.
Ayers says they had a mule standing by in case the terrain proved too rough for all-terrain vehicles.
Sieja told rescuers he was "just tired" and did not want to go to the hospital. Instead, they took him to Hot Springs, N.C., which was hosting its annual "Trailfest" celebration.
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