Jay H. Greer, Jr.

Update May 3, 2013 at 3:45 AM:

It was previously reported that the teenage victim was located and rescued. The victim, Jay Greer was located at approximately 7pm last evening however Greer was not brought to safety until 8 hours later. Lack of cell phone coverage and poor radio service hampered with communications. We apologize for the error.

Approximately 18 Rescue Personnel from the US Forestry Service, Lone Rock Fire Dept, Norfork Fire Dept and the Baxter County Sheriff's Office worked for over 8 hours and and at approximately 3:10 AM was able to get Greer to safety.

Rescue Personnel had to carry Greer for over one mile in heavy rugged terrain. Working non stop personnel  were hampered by the steep wooded terrain, cold wet conditions and the size and weight of the victim.

Greer was loaded on an ambulance from Baxter Regional Medical Center and is being transported to the hospital to be checked by medial personnel. It is not believed Greer suffered and injuries other than bumps and bruises and possibly minor hypothermia.

We wish to extend our deepest appreciation to all of the rescue personnel and volunteers who assisted in this search and rescue. We also want to extend our appreciation to the Professional Rescue Teams from Fayetteville, Arkansas and Greene County Missouri who were both in the process of responding to assist with the search when Greer was found.

Sheriff John Montgomery

UPDATE May 3, 2013 at 7:35 PM:

     The autistic teenager missing in the Ozark National Forest since Thursday evening, 18 year old JAY HOBSON GREER, JR. of Lone Rock, was located at approximately 7:00 PM this evening by a search crew with the United States Forestry Service.  GREER was found in a heavily wooded and rugged area approximately 2 1/2 miles from where his abandoned vehicle had been discovered this morning on Brush Creek Road near the Advance community.

     Members of the search crew were able to bring GREER out of the woods to a waiting Sheriff's vehicle on Brush Creek Road.  From there, he was transported to a waiting ambulance on Push Mountain Road.  JAY HOBSON GREER, JR. was cold, wet, and hungry but otherwise unharmed.  He was to be transported to Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home as a precautionary measure for medical evaluation.

     The Baxter County Sheriff's Office expresses its appreciation to all agencies and volunteers who participated in the successful search for the missing teenager. 

/s/ Sheriff John Montgomery

ORIGINAL RELEASE BELOW:

     At approximately 9:18 AM this morning, the young man’s father placed a call to the Sheriff’s Office to report his son missing.  He was identified as 18 year old JAY HOBSON GREER, JR. of Lone Rock.   He is described as more than 6 feet tall, approximately 270 pounds, and was last seen wearing some type of coveralls and a blue cap.

     The young man’s vehicle was found abandoned on Brush Creek Road near the Advance community.  Authorities are concerned for the safety and welfare of the teenager, due in part because of the wintery weather being experienced today, and began searching for him in the densely-wooded, remote Leatherwood Wilderness area of the Ozark National Forest.

     Tracking dogs with the North Central Unit – Arkansas Department of Corrections have been searching near the location, but thus far without results.  Also assisting the Sheriff’s Office with the search is the Lone Rock Fire Department, and U. S. Forest Service.  In addition, personnel with the National Parks Service were also launching a boat on the Buffalo National River to help look for the missing teenager.

     Anyone having information concerning the possible whereabouts of JAY H. GREER, JR. is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office (870) 425-7000.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff