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MILLCREEK — A 17-year-old California boy who was last contacted Thursday morning before going on a hike in Millcreek Canyon has been found safe.
KSL NewsRadio reported about 1:30 p.m. Friday the boy, who was later identified as Nicholas Alcantara, was found safe.
The 17 year old boy missing in Millcreek Canyon has been found, safe. pic.twitter.com/hBq2YqMi6O
— Paul Nelson (@KSLPaul) January 3, 2020
Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera originally said Friday the teen's last name was not released because he was a minor, but it was later released.
Alcantara was visiting a friend in Utah, according to Unified police detective Ken Hansen. About 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Alcantara took an Uber to Millcreek Canyon, where he said he was going on a 16-mile hike, Hansen said.
The Uber driver dropped Alcantara off at the canyon, and the teen was not heard from after that until he was located Friday. He was reported missing about 7 p.m. Thursday when he did not arrive in Park City to meet with some people, Rivera said.
A Unified police officer was persistent in investigating the case, and was able to determine that Alcantara was dropped off further up the canyon than investigators previously thought, according to Rivera.
Search and rescue crews responded Friday morning near the Rattlesnake Gulch area to search for the teen.
Det. Ken Hansen @UPDSL says 17yo hiker was last seen yesterday ~9a.m. for 16 mile hike #RattlesnakeGulch. wearing tan pants, tan jacket, & black baseball cap. Doesn’t appear he had equipment for cold weather. He had plans for dinner in #ParkCity but never arrived. @KSL5TVpic.twitter.com/aihV6KVjtR
— Garna Mejia KSL (@GarnaMejiaKSL) January 3, 2020
Rivera said the teen was without a jacket and shoes when he was found, but somehow survived the night.
A few hikers in the area spotted Alcantara shortly before 1:30 p.m., Rivera said. Around the same time, personnel in a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter saw him, and search and rescue crews at the top and bottom of the mountain also saw him, she said.
"Something drew everybody there," Rivera said.
Nicholas was taken to the University of Utah Hospital with some injuries to his feet, according to Rivera.
The hospital's Office of Public Affairs released a statement on Saturday updating Alcantara's condition.
“Nicolas is doing well and is in good condition as he focuses on recovering from a frostbite injury," the statement said. "The family would like to express their thanks and deep gratitude for all those involved in the rescue, including the search and rescue crew, the first responders and the skiers who found him. They’d also like to express their appreciation for the outpouring of support and prayers they’ve received.”
Alcantara's family is asking for privacy as he recovers.
Contributing: Winston Armani and Stuart Johnson, KSL TV
