Four college students were rescued Monday morning by helicopter at Red River Gorge.
The Powell County Search & Rescue team was dispatched Monday morning at 9:30 to Courthouse Rock after four Asbury College students, who had been camping overnight, became stranded due to heavy snowfall.
“After waking up this morning covered in snow, the group determined it was not safe for them to attempt climbing down,” Powell County Search & Rescue said in a social media post.
The rescue team attempted to make its way to the students’ location when it “quickly became apparent that the safest way to evacuate the students would be to request the use of a helicopter,” officials said.
Kentucky State Police accepted the request to use one of the organization’s helicopters for the rescue.
The rescue team then “made verbal contact with the students and talked them through the rescue plan.”
At approximately 2:05 Monday afternoon, the helicopter arrived at Courthouse Rock and picked up all four students. They were flown to Middlefork Fire Department where Powell County EMS personnel were waiting to evaluate the group’s medical needs.
“Other than being cold, all four students seemed to be in good spirits,” rescuers said.
“This call was one of the most dangerous rescues ever attempted in the Gorge,” Powell County Search & Rescue said. “Climbing Courthouse Rock is extremely treacherous even when conditions are favorable. Add in several inches of snow, icy rock faces, and a dash of wind (and) you have the perfect recipe for tragedy.”
(Headline photo: A Kentucky State Police helicopter rescuing four stranded college students at Red River Gorge)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
