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  Police and Park Rangers are investigating the shooting of a hiker in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park Friday. According to reports, the Cocke County Sheriff's Office received a call at approximatley 5 p.m.from an individual claiming he had suftered gunshot wounds while hiking in the Laurel Springs Road area near Cosby.

  Emergency personnel located a 29-year-old male with two gunshot wounds to his lower leg. He was flown to University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment.

   The victim, whose identity has not been released, told investigators he heard two gunshots just before he realized he had been struck. He said he never saw the assailant.

    Rangers are working with the Cocke County Sheriff's Office to secure the area along Laurel Springs Road, the closest road to where the shooting reportedly occurred.

   "We do not perceive any threat to visitors inside the park as this incident occurred in a remote area well off established trails," said Chief Park Ranger Clay Jordan.