Breaking News: Winona, Minnesota Resident Missing in Yellowstone – Your Help Needed!
Winona, Minnesota native Austin King is missing in Yellowstone after a hiking trip, and search efforts are underway—here’s how you can help. 🌐 #News #WinonaMN #Minnesota #MissingPerson
WINONA, MN – Residents of Winona, Minnesota: your immediate attention and help are needed. One of our own, 22-year-old Austin King, has gone missing in the rugged backcountry of Yellowstone National Park. As someone who grew up and attended Cotter High School right here in Winona, Austin’s plight resonates deeply within our community. The National Park Service is asking for your help finding this young man.
From Winona to Yellowstone: Austin King’s Journey
Austin, known for his love of the outdoors, moved from Winona to pursue a seasonal job at Yellowstone, working at the park since early June. He was last seen embarking on a challenging hike intended to summit Eagle Peak.
Austin’s journey began when he was dropped off by boat at Terrace Point on September 14. His itinerary included a seven-day solo trek, but concerns grew when he deviated from his planned route, last making unexpected contact with a park ranger at Howell Creek Cabin on September 16.
Timeline Leading to Disappearance
Austin’s last known communication was a phone call from the summit of Eagle Peak on September 17. He was reported missing after failing to meet a scheduled boat pickup near Yellowstone Lake’s Southeast Arm on September 20. This timeline marks critical points that could help search teams pinpoint his last movements.
Search and Rescue Mobilization
The National Park Service has spearheaded extensive search and rescue operations. These efforts are supported by teams from Yellowstone and nearby Grand Teton National Park and various searchers from Park County and Teton County. They are focusing on the dense and remote areas around Eagle Peak and neighboring trails including: Eagle Pass Mountain Creek Trail and Eagle Creek Trailhead in Shoshone National Forest.
Austin King is approximately six feet tall, weighs around 160 pounds, has brown hair, hazel eyes, and wears glasses.
Community and Family Mobilization in Winona
Austin’s family has launched an online fundraiser to aid the search, raising nearly $1,500 to date. They hold onto hope, urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. Brian King-Henke, Austin’s father, expresses their family’s determination to stay hopeful for his safe return.
How You Can Help
We urge everyone in Winona and beyond to spread the word. If you have friends or family in the Yellowstone area, please share this information with them. Any tips or possible sightings of Austin could be crucial. Contact the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at 307.344.2643 with any information that might help bring Austin back to his family.
Austin King is one of our own, a young man with his roots deep in the soil of Winona. Let’s band together to support the search efforts and keep hope alive for his safe return.
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