State police rescue students stranded in the snow while camping

RED RIVER GORGE, Ky. (KFVS/Gray News) - Several agencies were involved in a mission to rescue college students who got stranded while camping in Kentucky.

Powell County Search and Rescue received a report at about 9:28 a.m. Monday that four students from Asbury College were stranded on Courthouse Rock in the Red River Gorge.

The students had camped overnight and underestimated the weather conditions, officials said. After waking up Monday to find the area covered in snow, the group determined it was not safe for them to attempt climbing down.

A team hiked to the students’ location to make contact with them as well as investigate trail conditions. The team talked to the students and discussed the rescue plan with them, which involved evacuating them via helicopter.

The Kentucky State Police’s Aircraft Branch coordinated the helicopter rescue, and all four students were successfully rescued from Courthouse Rock Monday afternoon.

The students were cold but seemed to be in good spirits, according to Powell County Search and Rescue. They were flown to the Middlefork Fire Department where EMS were waiting to evaluate any medical needs.

Several agencies assisted with the rescue — including Kentucky State Police, REDSTAR Wilderness EMS, Powell County Search and Rescue, and Wolfe County Search and Rescue — assisted with the rescue.