A Texas man who'd been missing at the Grand Canyon for the last 11 days has been found alive, park officials said Thursday.
Martin E. O'Connor, 58, of La Porte, Texas, was last seen at the Yavapai Lodge on the south rim of Grand Canyon on Dec. 22, a press release from the Grand Canyon National Park Service said. Search crews found O'Connor at around 10 a.m. Thursday by park rangers and evacuated from the inner canyon by helicopter, the press release said.
At the time when O'Connor went missing, he was believed to be traveling alone and stayed at the lodge between Dec. 7 and Dec. 22. Hikers reported to park rangers that they'd seen O'Connor along the New Hance Trail Wednesday afternoon, which is where park rangers found him Thursday afternoon.
The park service issued a warning to hikers for dangerous weather conditions saying paths, roads and trails may be icy.
The New Hance trail is considered one of the more difficult hikes along the Grand Canyon with the NPS website warning that only highly experienced hikers attempt the trail.
Photo: Grand Canyon National Park Service