An injured hiker was finally rescued from the Appalachian Trail after an almost four- hour search. The incident began just before 3 p.m. when it was reported a male was injured somewhere between the Bake Oven Knob and Route 309.

Numerous fire companies from Lehigh County responded with fire trucks , rescue units and all-terrain vehicles.

The victim was located along the top of the Blue Mountain, about three miles east of Route 309.

The male was transported to a Cetronia paramedic unit on an ATV. He was treated at the scene then transported to the Lehigh Valley hospital trauma center in Allentown. Rescuers were hampered by dense fog and rain.

Lehigh county fire police maintained traffic control at the scene.

COPYRIGHT LARRY NEFF/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS