The sound of helicopter blades dominated the scene on Tuesday as Powell County Search and Rescue crews saved four college students trapped in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge.
As the students set out for a camping trip, the frigid conditions left them unable to leave the prestigious site.
The rescue happened in the midst of severe winter weather that currently has 68 million Americans under advisories. According to rescuer Jeremy Urekew, the poor weather conditions made the effort to save the students much tougher.
“Any time we have to hike in and rescue someone it’s difficult,” said Urekew. “But when it’s 15 degrees outside and snowing, it ups the ante a lot.”
All four of the students were successfully airlifted off the rock. Group members said they did not expect significant snow after looking at the forecast prior to the trip.
