GILA NATIONAL FOREST, N.M. (WHDH)– A group of Boy Scouts were airlifted out of a forest after being stranded there for three days.
Heavy rains and high water caused the group to become trapped while on a hiking trip earlier this month.
The New Mexico National Guard were quickly able to find the group’s location, but had to wait for an extra day to rescue them due to strong winds and storms, which made it difficult for helicopters to access the area.
Once conditions calmed down, a rescue team lifted the Scouts to safety one at a time.
“We got in there, we made contact with them, we noticed that they were split between two groups and that they were kind of stranded between two pieces of the river,” said Kurtus Tenorio, hoist operator for the New Mexico State Police. “The river was running pretty violently.”
Rescuers said this was one of the most technical missions they’ve ever done, and are thankful everyone is OK.
Terorio said there were “a lot of hugs and high-fives” when they met the group.
In total, 25 people were rescued from that area.
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