Local Man Killed in ATV Accident

On July 9th the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing person on Rabbit Hop Road. The report, made to Mitchell County Communications, stated that 57 year old Keith Scott Buchanan had possibly been missing along with his ATV since Thursday July 4th. Mitchell County Sheriff’s investigators called the family member that reported Buchanan’s absence. They said they had spoken with a neighbor who had not seen Buchanan or his ATV since Thursday the 4th. Investigators requested Mitchell County Emergency Management, and Fire Department members’ assistance for a woods search. Investigators also requested Mitchell Emergency Management to petition for a “Ping” of Buchanan’s cell phone to get a general location to begin the search. Sheriff’s Office investigators also requested Mitchell Emergency Management to petition NC State Emergency Management to conduct a “Forensic PING” of Buchanan’s cell phone. The initial PING of Buchanan’s phone placed the phone somewhere in the vicinity of Hoot Owl Mine within a 2,000 meter zone. Mitchell deputies, Community members, and volunteer firefighters began a ground search of the large area and trails indicated by the PING. After several hours of searching using ATVs and by foot, the forensic Ping indicated Buchanan’s phone was located somewhere around the normal ATV trails behind Buchanan’s home. Mitchell County investigators and volunteer firemen began a search of the trail system behind Buchanan’s residence. Subsequently Mitchell Sheriff’s Office investigators located an overturned ATV which matched the description of Buchanan’s ATV sitting off trail in some high grass and weeds. Buchanan was located along with the ATV, deceased from an apparent ATV accident.

According to the Mitchell Sheriff’s office, the search, while not having the desired outcome, was successful in providing closure for family due to the combined efforts of Community members, The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office, Mitchell County Emergency Management, Mitchell County Communications, Spruce Pine Volunteer Fire Dept, North Carolina Emergency Management and Mitchell Medics. These agencies and community members provided man-power, equipment, and expertise which all contributed to a successful outcome of this situation.
(photo courtesy Facebook post)