RBC | At approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center received notification of a 52-year-old female that had gone hiking away from her car and could not find her way back. She had water and supplies, however she was cold and needed help getting out.
Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office called the volunteer Search and Rescue Coordinator and started organizing a rescue, the lost female had no location except that her car was parked at the Fremont Ridge sign off of Rio Blanco County Road 23.
Rescue teams included Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office with their new K9, Rio Blanco Search and Rescue, Bureau of Land Management Ranger, Rangely EMS, Classic Air Medical, Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center, and two local Rangely residents, with their two dogs. The Communications Center was able to make contact with the lost party using technology and geographical knowledge of the area; they were able to get an accurate location on the lost party while staying in communication with her via 911 texting.
At approximately 4:20 p.m. the BLM Ranger and Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office deputy and the local residents had hiked to where her GPS coordinates — from the 911 technology — had provided and they were able to see and communicate at a distance with her. About the same time Classic Air Medical flew over and spotted the overdue party. Classic Air Medical landed and was able to pick her up and take her back to her car where the Incident Command Post was set up.
The lost party was cleared by medical personnel and returned safe and uninjured.
Special to the Herald Times
