Hundreds at vigil for missing Hudsonville teen | News

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WZZM) -- Family and friends of a Hudsonville teenager who disappeared while hiking in Montana are not giving up hope for his safe recovery.

A vigil for Jakson Kreiser was held thursday at Baldwin St. Middle School in Hudsonville.  Several hundred people gathered to hope and pray for Kreiser's rescue.  His friends organized the event. 

Kreiser disappeared July 28 while hiking at Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana, where he worked a seasonal job at a lodge.

Kreiser's brother, Austin Bauer, thanked the people for coming to the vigil.

"I just really appreciate all you guys coming out," said Bauer.  "I don't know everyone.  It doesn't matter.  Everyone is just showing a great sign of solidarity and it just means so much to me and his family."

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WZZM) - Rescue crews have found another boot print for missing hiker Jakson Kreiser, 19, of Hudsonville.

The teen is a seasonal worker at Glacier National Park. His distraught friends and family are holding a prayer vigil Thursday August 2.

The vigil will be happening Thursday evening in Hudsonville, at Baldwin Middle School from 8 to 11  p.m. Kreiser's friends are praying for his safe return.

Rescue crews are focusing their search near Floral Park, an area with cliffs, slippery rocks, and dense terrain. Recent poor weather conditions have delayed their searches.

Friend, Brett Schmidt says, "He went through some really rough terrain on his path, and I'm afraid he fell off a rock and hurt his leg or something."

His friends say he had bear mace, a knife, and two liters of water on him, but they're still upset that he went hiking alone.

Friend Tyler Doane says, "From my understanding they tried to tell him don't go alone, but he's the kind of kid whose going to stick to his guns and do what he wants to do."

That strong will helped Kreiser become a popular water polo player at Hudsonville High School. He took the job at Glacier Park as a cook after getting interested in culinary arts.

His friends are now asking the community to come out and prayer beside them for his safe return.