A TEEN camper was found dead and another person is missing after a frantic call from a trail launched a rescue mission to find them.
Mystery surrounds the pair’s disappearance while California authorities continue to search for a 57-year-old man.
A camper is dead and another remains missing as authorities in Butte County, California continue their search and rescue mission[/caption]
The missing man has been identified as 57-year-old Christopher Stephenson, who was camping with the teenage boy and his father last week[/caption]
Local authorities found the 14-year-old boy dead on Wednesday in a trailhead area near the town of Berry Creek, California, according to a press release from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.
The teen had been on a camping trip with his father and a family friend, but at some point the father became separated from the group.
The father, who has not been identified by authorities, called the Butte County Sheriff’s Office to ask for help in finding his son and friend.
That sparked a search and rescue mission for the campers.
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“After receiving the call from the male, [Butte County Sheriff’s Office] deputies responded to Berry Creek and began searching for the missing individuals,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Deputies said staff located the 14-year-old victim on the evening of July 13 near the bottom of a steep rock embankment. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The family friend, who was identified as 57-year-old Christopher Stephenson, remains missing.
Authorities said they have been looking for Stephenson in the Berry Creek area.
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Search and rescue teams and deputies from the special enforcement unit responded to assist with the search.
A helicopter was also deployed in the operation.
The case remains under investigation though no foul play is suspected at this time, the sheriff’s office said.
The search mission has been complicated by the fact that some hiking trails in the area are damaged from wildfires, according to the local CBS affiliate in Sacramento.
A man who lives near where the search is being carried out told the news outlet that the area is a difficult place to hike.
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“Absolutely, 100percent it would be difficult. Almost insane,” nearby resident Rob Shipley told CBS13.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident or the missing person to contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office at 530 538-7322.
