First responders rescued 36 people stranded on UTV trails Saturday night after rising water and fallen trees trapped them in the Rock Lick area.
Emergency crews responded around 10 p.m. Saturday after a UTV rider in Jackson County made an Apple SOS call.
“It said there were 17 people that were trapped in the Rock Lick Area and they needed help getting out,” said Jamie Strong, Jackson County emergency management director.
Strong and several agencies, including the Sand Gap Volunteer Fire Department, responded to the scene. As firefighters hiked miles into the area to reach the group, they discovered another group of similar size along the route.
Both groups became trapped by fallen trees and rising water.
“I think it was 32 adults, two juveniles and two toddler aged children,” Strong said.
One group was located about five to six miles into the trail system, while the second group was a couple of miles behind them.
“Side by sides will go about anywhere but you know they ain’t gonna make it through high water,” Strong said.
The rescue operation lasted seven hours. Crews used ropes, life jackets and their own UTVs to safely bring everyone out.
Strong said no injuries were reported.
“I mean that’s a bus load of people and that’s kind of crazy,” Strong said.
Strong and the fire department are now warning people about the dangers of rising water and the importance of staying alert to weather conditions.
“It’s just too dangerous and it puts not only your life but it could put these firemen at risk, too,” Strong said.
Strong later shared on Facebook that the side-by-sides had been recovered.
Leave a Reply