Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
Deaf man found in Jefferson Memorial Forest
Authorities located a handicapped man late tonight who had wandered off a trail while picnicking in the Jefferson Memorial Forest with family and friends this afternoon.
Jonathan Pappas, 21, who is deaf and has mental and physical problems, was found by a good Samaritan in a ditch along Mitchell Hill Road near the welcome center, said Detective Phil Russell, a spokesman for Louisville Metro Police, which assisted park rangers and the Fairdale Fire Protection District in the five-hour search.
A man who had heard about the missing man through the media decided to go to the forest and was driving around the perimeter of the park when he spotted Pappas about 10:30 p.m., Russell said.
EMS workers were checking Pappas for injuries, but "he seemed okay," Russell said.
The next step was to reunite him with his family.
The forest, in Fairdale between Interstate 65 and Dixie Highway on the edge of Jefferson and Bullitt counties, covers more than 6,000 acres and is the largest municipal forest in the country.
“He has a history of medical problems that caused us to be concerned for his safety,” Russell said when the search began about 5 p.m.
Pappas’ parents had given him permission to walk along a trail with a friend, who also is mentally challenged.
That friend came back about a quarter mile to the area where the families were picnicking and told Pappas’ parents that he had strayed from the trail, Russell said.
Authorities initially focused their search around the lake, then expanded it outward using a computer-based topographical map of the forest, Russell said.
A police helicopter and mounted patrol officers aided in the search, though the forest canopy made it tough for officers in the helicopter to see some areas, Russell said.
Russell was not sure how many officers, firefighters and rangers were at the scene, though he said the number continued to grow as darkness fell.
As Pappas is hearing impaired, authorities were concerned that he may become startled if someone approached him, Russell said.
About 9 p.m., authorities called for a search of outbuildings at homes near the forest.
“There is concern, given his mental and physical capacities, that maybe he is hiding,” Russell said at that time.
After Pappas was found safe, Russell asked the Samaritan if he would like to talk with the media. He declined, saying he "did not want the fanfare," Russell said.
Authorities located a handicapped man late tonight who had wandered off a trail while picnicking in the Jefferson Memorial Forest with family and friends this afternoon.
Jonathan Pappas, 21, who is deaf and has mental and physical problems, was found by a good Samaritan in a ditch along Mitchell Hill Road near the welcome center, said Detective Phil Russell, a spokesman for Louisville Metro Police, which assisted park rangers and the Fairdale Fire Protection District in the five-hour search.
A man who had heard about the missing man through the media decided to go to the forest and was driving around the perimeter of the park when he spotted Pappas about 10:30 p.m., Russell said.
EMS workers were checking Pappas for injuries, but "he seemed okay," Russell said.
The next step was to reunite him with his family.
The forest, in Fairdale between Interstate 65 and Dixie Highway on the edge of Jefferson and Bullitt counties, covers more than 6,000 acres and is the largest municipal forest in the country.
“He has a history of medical problems that caused us to be concerned for his safety,” Russell said when the search began about 5 p.m.
Pappas’ parents had given him permission to walk along a trail with a friend, who also is mentally challenged.
That friend came back about a quarter mile to the area where the families were picnicking and told Pappas’ parents that he had strayed from the trail, Russell said.
Authorities initially focused their search around the lake, then expanded it outward using a computer-based topographical map of the forest, Russell said.
A police helicopter and mounted patrol officers aided in the search, though the forest canopy made it tough for officers in the helicopter to see some areas, Russell said.
Russell was not sure how many officers, firefighters and rangers were at the scene, though he said the number continued to grow as darkness fell.
As Pappas is hearing impaired, authorities were concerned that he may become startled if someone approached him, Russell said.
About 9 p.m., authorities called for a search of outbuildings at homes near the forest.
“There is concern, given his mental and physical capacities, that maybe he is hiding,” Russell said at that time.
After Pappas was found safe, Russell asked the Samaritan if he would like to talk with the media. He declined, saying he "did not want the fanfare," Russell said.