American Tourist From Colorado Rescued After Taking A Hike At Eruption Volcano Site

Story By: Georgina Jadikovska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash

An American tourist from Colorado who was hiking but went missing at volcano eruption site in Iceland was found safe the next day by the rescue services.

Experienced hiker Scott Estill, 60, from the US state of Colorado who went hiking with his wife Becky Estill got lost for over 24 hours near the eruption site at the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland.

The search for 60-year-old Scott who disappeared on Friday afternoon at about 3pm after he parted ways with his wife lasted over a day and included almost 3000 rescue workers.

The American tourist Scott Estill who was found west of the hill of Nupshliðarhals in Iceland after a day of being searched. (Police/Newsflash)

Local media reported that the Estills hiked together before Becky decided to hike ahead of her husband and meet him again at the eruption site.

However, Scott never made it to their pre-agreed destination as he was prevented by poor weather conditions and heavy fogs which caused him to mistake the direction.

In addition, the man had left his mobile phone in his car and was not carrying any water with him which made him fall and lose consciousness for a while before the rescue services could arrive.

The American tourist Scott Estill who was found west of the hill of Nupshliðarhals in Iceland after a day of being searched. (Police/Newsflash)

He was finally found shortly before 7.30pm on Saturday night about four kilometres (2.5 mi) northwest of the eruption site near the Nupshlidarhals hill.

Due to the severity of the situation he was transported by helicopter to Landspitali National University Hospital in Iceland’s capital Reykjavik.

Police Chief Gunnar Schram who was involved in the search said: “What led us to search the area where he was found was a movement which we detected after which we redirected our rescue services there.”

Scott Estill’s wife Becky Estill who was hiking with him before the incident. (Newsflash)

His wife Becky told local media: “You should never leave your hiking partner. And you should always have water and your cell phone. Those are mistakes we made and this is the outcome. He almost died.”

She also added: “I don’t have words to express how amazing it was, not to mention how enormously grateful we are. You are the warmest and most compassionate people I have ever met. So professional and I just can’t say it enough.”

This is not the first time that US citizens have experienced trouble in the region since less than two weeks ago a man named Vincent Van Reynolds from the state of Denver who tried to film flowing lava from the Fagradalsfjall volcano almost lost his life when the lava got too close.