Virginia Responders Locate, Rescue Hikers

June 13--It started after nightfall Monday. Three teams of rescue workers walking along the Bottom Creek Gorge trail, shouting names across a swollen tributary and into the dark.

Three men had crossed the creek earlier that afternoon while hiking. They didn't anticipate that a heavy rainfall would raise the water level of the creek, preventing them from returning to their car.

Besides the water and rain, Capt. Barry Hurley said the steep terrain along the trail also complicated access to the hikers.

Roanoke County Fire-EMS spokeswoman Jennifer Conley Sexton said the three hikers had been part of a group of six earlier in the day. About 5 p.m., half of the group returned to a pre-arranged meeting place and waited for the others to return.

They waited three hours, then dialed 911.

Once the rescuers pinpointed the missing hikers' location, they devised a plan to get the three from one side of the creek to the other. They found a homeowner three-quarters of a mile down the waterway, near Patterson Drive, who permitted crews easier access to the opposite bank.

"Once we did reach the same side, at one point we had some of our team rappelling down to them to get blankets and dry shirts to them," Hurley said. "Another team came in with food and water."

The hikers were cold, drenched and dehydrated, the captain said. They were able to cross the creek by 7:30a.m. Tuesday.

Authorities did not release the names of the hikers.

A total of 34 rescue personnel worked the rescue, some of them from Roanoke and Salem fire and rescue units, authorities said.

Hurley said hikers are encouraged to bring food and water with them, as well as a flashlight or headlamp in case the hike stretches into the twilight hours.

Hurley said the three men were happy to be rescued.

"They were relieved and very appreciative," he said. "All the crews did an awesome job."

Copyright 2012 - The Roanoke Times, Va.