The National Park Service announced Tuesday a Lockport man who was reported missing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been found safe.
Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak, 29, was confirmed safe Tuesday afternoon in North Carolina outside of national park, the park service said in a news release.
“The National Park Service is grateful to everyone who assisted in the search by submitting tips and spreading the word, as well as to the many park rangers, volunteers and partner agencies who assisted with the search,” the release stated.
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Bachleda-Blaszczak was reported missing to the park’s dispatch center Aug. 24. His vehicle containing several personal belongings was located at the Sugarlands visitor parking lot, according to the National Park Service.
A team of 57 park rangers and volunteers actively searched in and around the park, officials said. Search efforts are then expanded outside park boundaries.
Travis Cott, public information officer, said earlier Tuesday more state and local help was added.
The incident is still under investigation, the park service said, and no additional details were available Tuesday evening.
The Bachleda-Blaszcak family said in a statement it is grateful to the National Park Service, law enforcement agencies, search-and-rescue personnel, emergency management teams, volunteers, communities and countless individuals who participated in the search.
Bachleda-Blaszcak is from Lockport, according to a GoFundMe page created to help his family with lodging, travel and transportation as they remain in Tennessee to assist in the search.
Dagmara Harris, the organizer of the fundraiser, said Tuesday his immediate family was not available for comment because they were in Tennessee helping with the search.
The GoFundme described Bachleda-Blaszcak as the type of person who never hesitates when someone needs help, saying he has helped people experiencing homelessness and organized food gatherings. It said his faith in God is at the center of his life, and he is involved with both Grace Baptist Church in Lockport and First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana.
Grace Baptist Church donated $1,000 to the GoFundMe to aid in the search.
The GoFundMe page says Bachleda-Blaszcak came home from work Aug. 21, spent some time with his dad and mentioned he might go into work Saturday, even though he had the day off.
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Instead, he drove to Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the fundraising page organizer wrote.