SPRUCE KNOB, W.Va. — A rescue effort to extract six individuals trapped in Spurce Knob hit a snag Saturday night, but ultimately was successful with no one needing to be transported to the hospital.
An Arctic CAT operated by the Harman Volunteer Fire Department was able to reach those stranded at around 4 p.m. Saturday evening, but an hour later they lost radio contact with Randolph OEM during the return.
A separate emergency crew went looking for the rescuers and found them walking after the CAT had run out of fuel.
The second rescue effort included three main elements, according to Ranolph County OEM Director Cindy Hart.
The state DOH assisted in plowing the road to help them reach the CAT team, the six stranded were assisted to an awaiting medical team stationed in an ambulance to be treated for signs of mild hypothermia and fuel would be taken to the CAT to help it complete its return.
The ordeal began Friday night when two individuals decided to go riding in the area and became stuck due to the conditions.
They then called four other individuals to come pick them up, but a rescue could not be made and all six were trapped.
Randolph County 911 received a call from them at around 8:30 a.m. Saturday, according to OEM Deputy Director Jim Ancell.
Reports indicated that they had run out of fuel, heat, food and other emergency supplies at that time.
The individuals reached the awaiting medical professionals at around 10 p.m. Saturday night and did not need to be transported to the hospital.
Had the CAT rescue completely failed, the National Guard was on standby to attempt a helicopter rescue Sunday morning.