Family Grateful After Missing Bixby Hiker Found Alive At Greenleaf State Park

Authorities have found alive a 37-year-old Bixby hiker missing since Saturday at Greenleaf State Park in Muskogee County.

According to the Muskogee County Sheriff's office, Jacob Stephens was located just before 1:30 p.m. 

Stephens was alert and talking to friends, family, and rescuers when he was found early this afternoon.

OHP says this is perfect example of everyone doing their jobs, especially Stephens himself.

Jacob Stephens looked tired and worn out but, for his family, that doesn't matter.

"He's a little shooken up and looks pretty rough," said Deidra Stephens, the hiker's mother. "Looks like he's been in a pigpen," she said with a laugh.

Stephens went hiking Saturday morning around Greenleaf Lake. His family says he had very little hiking experience as well as being diabetic but he was carrying his insulin pump.

The Bixby resident parked his car at the trailhead, but come late Sunday night he wasn't home, and his family called authorities.

More than 50 search and rescue personnel scoured the 18 miles worth of hiking trails Monday morning while OHP had an airplane and helicopter search from above. A little after noon on Monday the helicopter spotted something from the sky and directed a ground team to the site.

Ryan King was with the group that found Stephens drinking water from a spill well.

"Instant relief, in the excitement, because we'd been hollering his name for so long and then just to finally hear somebody answer back," said Ryan King of the Bixby Fire Department.

OHP says it took a team effort to find Stephens, and it all started when he followed the right steps and signed in Saturday morning as he began his hike.

"It gave us a starting point; it gave us a timeline," said Lieutenant George Brown of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. "Anytime there's a search any little piece of information like that helps."

Stephens was checked by paramedics but decided not to go the hospital. His mother says he a little disoriented but she has no doubt her prayers were answered.

"He said he didn't know - he was dreaming, he thought he was in a tree, didn't know where he was at and so apparently his sugar did drop," said Deidra Stephens. "But God performed a miracle today and put the insulin he needed in his body to bring him up so we could find him."

Deidra Stephens wanted everyone who helped in the search and rescue to know how grateful she is to them for their hard work, she says she can't thank them enough.

 Deputies were worried about how Stephens handled the temperatures which were in the 40s and 50s Saturday and Sunday nights.

The Muskogee County Sheriff's Office, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and state game rangers were all involved in the search effort.  

His car was found at a parking lot near the hiking trail.

Greenleaf State Park is located on state Highway 10 between Braggs and Gore.