A man in Utah, who is believed to have gone missing while hiking on a mountain, had shared a video on a snowy mountainous landscape before he disappeared, authorities said.
Investigators in Sevier County shared the video online Monday in the hopes that the public would recognize the area so search and rescuers could pinpoint the location of Austin Madsen, who was last seen on Thursday while going for a hike in Kanab, Gephardt Daily reported.
Officials said the video was possibly taken south of Monroe Mountain, and that a cellphone “ping” conducted by the Mapleton Police Department narrowed down a possible location in Garfield County.
On Tuesday, officials said that the public’s tips helped them locate Madsen’s vehicle, a 2011 black Chevrolet Avalanche, in the Dry Hollow area on Mount Dutton. But Madsen was not with the vehicle.
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The public sent in tips and helped law enforcement pinpoint the area where the hiker was believed to have gone missing. Authorities located his truck later Monday but have yet to find the hiker.
(Austin Madsen / Sevier County Sheriff’s Office)
Search and rescue crews from multiple counties on Tuesday morning followed a trail of footprints believed to be Madsen’s before suspending the search about 2:30 a.m. due to extreme weather conditions, FOX13 Salt Lake City reported, citing officials.
Officials said Austin Madsen shared the video before he went missing.
(Austin Madsen / Sevier County Sheriff’s Office)
The search was resumed later Tuesday via helicopter, but official described the low temperatures and windy conditions as “incredibly difficult.”
Officials had shared the video with the public in the hopes of pinpointing the hiker’s location.
(Austin Madsen / Sevier County Sheriff’s Office)
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“The rough terrain and deep snow complicated travel throughout the area,” the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said
Officials are actively searching and said they will provide updates as they become available.
