Search is underway in SNP for missing man
He was last seen in Domeland Wilderness area
Emergency personnel are searching for a missing man inside Sequoia National Park, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office reported Friday evening.
According to the missing person’s traveling partner, 72-year-old Thomas Jackman went hiking on Wednesday, June 13. The two walked into the woods on Woodpecker Trail off of Sherman Pass Road in the Domeland Wilderness area, TCSO reported.
Somewhere near Woodpecker Trail and Dark Canyon Trail, Jackman hurt his knee. His friend says he told Jackman to stay put, and he would leave to get help. That was around 5:30 p.m.
When the friend walked back down Dark Canyon Trail and to where he told Jackman to stay, he wasn’t there. The friend walked back to the trailhead on Woodpecker Trail, thinking Jackman might have tried to walk back on his own. But he wasn’t there either.
He then stayed the night there hoping Jackman would return. He tracked down US Forest Service personnel on Thursday, June 14, and that is when Tulare County Sheriff’s Office deputies were notified, around 12:15 p.m.
A resident deputy responded to the trailhead around 3:30 p.m. and met with the friend to start gathering information.
The CHP Helicopter conducted a late afternoon overflight, as well as an evening flight, but did not locate Jackman. A TCSO deputy stayed the night at the trailhead until more search and rescue personnel arrived. Around 8:30 Friday morning, quick-response search and rescue ream arrived and hiked 10-12 miles to find Jackman, but were unable to locate him. A National Guard Air Unit arrived on scene at 2 p.m. and searched until 6 p.m. That unit will return today, June 16, if Jackman is not found.
More search and rescue responders were being called in Friday night and will begin a full search at 7:30 a.m. today.
Also, the United State’s Forest Service assisted Friday with units in the area and will likely assist today, TCSO reported.
Jackman is from Sun Valley, and is described as 6-foot-1, 187 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen with a red backpack, wearing a blue and gray shirt and hiking boots.