UPDATE BREAKING: Darrell Carter found alive

After days of intense searching in record heat, a missing 75-year-old Whitley County man has finally been found alive.

On Wednesday evening, just before 8:00 p.m., the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department shared the following via their official Facebook page:

Photo by submitted
Darrell Carter seen smiling Wednesday evening after being found alive. He had been missing since Sunday.

“By the grace of God and with the help of so many different agencies and volunteers, Darrell Carter has been located ALIVE. He is being treated at this time by EMS personnel and will be transported to the hospital. We cannot thank everyone involved and civilian volunteers enough.”

Whitley County Emergency Management Director Anthony Christie said that Carter had been located near the ridgeline of a farm neighboring the main search area.

“He was treated by ambulance and transported to the hospital in Corbin,” Christie said. “We want to thank all of the first responders and volunteers for their efforts. There are too many to name.”

When asked about Carter’s condition, having been gone for several days in near triple-digit heat, Christie said that he was conscious and alert when he was found, and other than being dehydrated, he seemed to be mostly okay physically.

“He is very familiar with these woods,” Christie said. “He is used to the terrain, but obviously he wasn’t expected to be gone as long as he was. It’s amazing that he lived.”

Carter’s niece, Ashley Carter, made a comment on behalf of the family, saying, “This is nothing short of a miracle from God. His protection was on my Uncle Darrell those four days and three nights in the wilderness and elements. There is no other explanation for his condition after such an ordeal.”

“God heard the screams and prayers of his loving wife, Donna. She was even screaming prayers for her husband in her sleep. God heard her. We are so thankful for all the search and rescue crews, the volunteers, the community, the feet on the ground that helped bring him home. There aren’t enough words to express our appreciation.”

The News Journal will continue to provide additional details as they become available.