- Joined
- Oct 5, 2000
- Messages
- 188
This just recently happened in my county.
Several research scientists were out in the marsh in a track vehicle. The vehicle threw a track and they were stranded in the middle of the marsh with sawgrass and water around them. They had no radio,no cellphone and were dressed for the warm Florida weather. Luckily a co-worker at the office became concerned
when they did not return at 5 pm and called the sheriffs dept. As night began to fall a search was launched. The weather dropped into the low 40s to upper 30s overnight. The men were spotted by the sheriffs dept helicopter and it was determined that an airboat or truck could not reach them. The helicopter was not able to land near them and was not equipped with a winch (it was a OH-58) The helicopter was able to return later and drop blankets,a cellphone and food. Both the Coast Guard and Air Force were called but would not attempt to retrieve them until daybreak since the situation was not life threatening. After first light the sheriffs helicopter returned but could not find a place to land near them and the men did not want to cross a fairly wide bit of water to get to a landing area. Hours later a Coast Guard Daulphin helicopter retrieved the scientists,with a winch. The scientists stated later that they should have at least bought along a cellphone and possibly some basic supplies before venturing out in the marsh,and saved themselves from a miserable long cold night.The scientist position ws found to be appox 2 miles off of a state road. I think the lesson here is that you do not have to be miles from civilization to run into a emergency and a few basic items always carried come in handy.