LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S HELICOPTER LOCATES MISSING GROUP OF 14 BOY SCOUTS AND 2 TROOP LEADERS LOST IN THE FOREST

On July 13, 2011 at approximately 9:20 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a report regarding a missing group of 14 boy scouts and their 2 troop leaders.

The call came from a scout director at Camp LaNoChe in Paisley, who stated the group of 16 had been canoeing earlier in the day in 8 canoes along the Alexander Spring Creek in northern Lake County. He said they were due to be picked up at about 8 p.m. that evening. However, they never arrived at the designated pick-up site along the Alexander Springs Run. Members from the Lake County sheriff’s Road Patrol, Marine Patrol, and Aviation Unit were then dispatched to the area to begin search efforts for the group.

At approximately 11:10 p.m., the sheriff’s helicopter located the missing group in a heavily-wooded area along the creek utilizing infrared search equipment. The group was located approximately one mile from the designated pick-up site. The Aviation Unit was then able to guide other deputies to the 16, who were brought out of the woods safe and unharmed.

There were nine deputies involved in this effort, including the helicopter pilot and his spotter.