CLEVELAND, (September 12, 2026) - U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes District External Affairs - The Coast Guard and Michigan State Police rescued an injured, ailing man Saturday after he went missing in Isle Royale National Park. With the assistance of good Samaritan backpackers, Michigan State Police troopers and K-9 units located Craig Berg, 70, who was reportedly injured and hypothermic on Isle Royale. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City hoisted and transported him to Marquette Regional Airport in Gwinn, Michigan. Emergency medical services personnel staged at the airport transported Berg to a local hospital for further care.
On Friday, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Portage and helicopter crew from Air Station Traverse City transported the troopers and K-9 units to Isle Royale to aid in search efforts.
“We’re thankful that missing hiker, Craig Berg, was found alive and alert on Isle Royale,” said Lt. Ben Eckola, Michigan State Police Eighth District Public Information Officer. “The collaboration and hard work of everyone involved in the search helped locate Craig safely. We appreciate the Michigan State Police personnel who helped, as well as our partners at the U.S. Coast Guard, National Park Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Minnesota Department of Public Safety. We’re also thankful to the fellow hikers who helped, Isle Royale Seaplanes, and No One Left Behind K9 Search and Rescue. Everyone’s efforts played an important part in finding Craig.”
“This rescue is a testament to teamwork and what can be accomplished when first responders and members of the community come together,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Wendy Janson, command duty officer, Sector Northern Great Lakes command center. “We are extremely grateful we were able to get Mr. Berg safely off the island and deliver him to the medical care he needed.” (Photo via DOW)