At 5:31 p.m. Aug. 17, after receiving a call from the Kentucky State Police, Wolfe County Search & Rescue and Powell County Search & Rescue began investigating a report of a 16‑year‑old girl and her father who were missing in the Gorge. With only a description of their truck to go on, WCSART team members checked multiple parking areas searching for their vehicle. We also requested assistance from our friends at Powell County SAR to check for the vehicle in their service areas.
The team later learned the pair had arrived Saturday to camp along Swift Camp Creek, but heavy rainfall caused the water to rise rapidly, surrounding their campsite and sweeping away their gear and food. Trapped on high ground with no way out, the father used a rope to climb higher but became so exhausted he passed out.
Thankfully, the daughter sent a satellite SOS message to her best friend, who relayed coordinates to relatives. Immediately upon receiving this information late yesterday afternoon, two WCSART team members raced to the Rock Bridge Trailhead, found the family’s truck, and hiked down the trail. They located the father first, then found his daughter weak and disoriented. They had been without food and water for 34 hours. The team escorted them out, where they were treated by the Wolfe County Ambulance Service. A WCSART team member and his wife provided warm, clean clothes. After a period of evaluation, EMTs determined the father and daughter could self‑transport home.
We’re proud of the team members who brought this to a successful conclusion, and we extend our sincere thanks to the daughter for alerting her friend, the relatives who provided key information, cooperating agencies, and the Wolfe County Ambulance Service. Great work all!
