Authorities still searching for missing Eureka man in Swan Valley
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SWAN LAKE — Lake County and Swan Valley Search and Rescue teams are still searching for a missing Eureka man.
Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said the family of William Hendrix, 59, reported the man missing at 8 p.m. on Wednesday after he did not return from a hiking trip on Thunderbolt Mountain, located in Lake County southeast of Swan Lake.
Hendrix's vehicle was located near a Thunderbolt Mountain trailhead the next day, but searchers who went up the trail Wednesday evening and Thursday morning found no sign of the man, who Bell said is a skilled outdoorsman.
Aerial flights during daylight and evening hours by Two Bear Helicopter also were unsuccessful at locating the man. A team of six searchers were set to be flown to the top of a third nearby trail Thursday evening, Bell said.
"We left caches of food and water at all the trailheads in case he came out, with a flashing light and a note, saying we will be back," Bell said.
As of Sunday, human trackers believed that Hendrix had left the marked trail and headed off into the brush, but still had not located him. Three teams from North Valley, Swan Lake and Lake County were looking for Hendrix as of Sunday. Canines and Two Bear Air Helicopters were also searching.
Hendrix is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call 406-883-7301.
