First responders in Vermont successfully rescued 23 skiers and snowboarders from the backcountry after they were reported missing during a blast of arctic air that caused temperatures to drop into the single digits, according to authorities.
The Killington Police Department, situated in the Green Mountains of central Vermont, received a call reporting seven to nine people missing in the backcountry around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Subsequently, the state police’s search and rescue team were called in, revealing that a total of 21 people, including six juveniles, were missing.
The search team, enduring freezing temperatures, hiked and snowshoed approximately 5 miles. Once each person was located, they were warmed up in firetrucks or the personal vehicles of the first responders.
As the rescuers were concluding their efforts, another call reported two additional individuals lost. By 9:30 p.m., the two skiers were also safely brought to rescue, USA Today reported.
During the weekend, a significant drop in temperatures occurred across much of the Plains, Midwest, and Northeast, reaching single digits, with wind chills as low as minus 20 to minus 30 degrees in some areas.
This arctic air, spanning a considerable portion of the country, followed a series of deadly winter storms last week that claimed the lives of 91 people as of Sunday.
Written by B.C. Begley
*The following content has been overlayed by an A.I. system for editing and proofreading purposes and should be used for informational purposes only. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. We recommend seeking qualified expertise or conducting further research to validate and supplement the information provided.
B.C. Begley 