Missing man found on the Appalachian Trail

Warren County, VA – On February 27, 2019 at 7:09 PM, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a family member of Thomas Sowers, a 75-year-old male and resident of Falls Church VA, stating that Mr. Sowers had not returned from a day trip to the Appalachian Trail located in Warren County, Virginia. The family member advised that Mr. Sowers would have been doing trail work as a member of the Appalachian Trail Club.

The family member advised that Mr. Sowers should be in the area of Harmony Hollow Road. Deputies located Mr. Sowers’ vehicle at approximately 7:47 PM on Pomeroy Road. Deputies checked the immediate area and did not locate Mr. Sowers.

The family member then reported Mr. Sowers as missing and endangered with the Fairfax County Police Department. Due to deputies not being able to locate Sowers in the general area, and due to the terrain and cold temperatures, deputies contacted the Virginia State Police for assistance from their Aviation Unit and K-9 unit. Mr. Sowers was located approximately 2 miles up the trail at approximately 11:50 PM by the Virginia State Police K-9. Mr. Sowers was unable to walk due to a non-life threatening injury. Mr. Sowers was also suffering from hypothermia.

Warren County Fire and Rescue responded to the scene to assist with extricating Mr. Sowers off the trail. Mr. Sowers was transported to Warren Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Warren County Fire and Rescue and the Virginia State Police for their assistance.