MISSING HIKER: Search underway on Eagle Rock Loop in Montgomery County

UPDATE 10 A.M. THURSDAY – -Matt was located safe and uninjured on the trail.

A search is underway Wednesday evening in the Ouachita National Forest for Matthew Teeters of Texarkana, Ark., who went missing Wednesday afternoon on the Eagle Rock Loop near the trailhead to the Winding Stairs, according to family members.

Family says Teeters and a hiking partner were headed toward Winding Stair trailhead, where a relative was meeting them with extra water and Gatorade. As they neared the trailhead, Teeters was about 50 yards behind his partner. When the partner reached the trailhead, Teeters was no longer behind him.

The partner went straight back down the trail looking for him. He checked with another group of hikers behind them, who had not seen Teeters, and climbed a side trail the two had taken by mistake earlier in the day. He did not find him.

A Montgomery County deputy first reported arriving on scene just after 4:30 p.m., according to sheriff’s office radio traffic. Search and rescue crews are coordinating the search from the Albert Pike Store.

Teeters had not been located as of 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and search and rescue teams are on scene, and family says the U.S. Forest Service is also assisting. Volunteers from across Arkansas and Texas are joining the search with drones, four-wheelers, and experienced hikers and trail runners.

If you are on the Eagle Rock Loop or near Winding Stair tonight, or know someone hiking the trail, family asks that you keep an eye out for Teeters.

Anyone with information should contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at (870) 867-3151.

We will update this post as more information becomes available.