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LEBANON, ME - The Lebanon Rescue Department, Maine State Police, Maine Warden Service and members of the Lebanon Fire Department responded to a report of two lost females in the woods with their dog on Tuesday night, October 6, 2009.

The call was received from the Maine State Police around 8:20 p.m. One of the patients had called 9-1-1 and they were able to get their coordinates from their cell phone due to new 911 technology. Lebanon Rescue responded with its 6x6 off road rescue vehicle and an ATV to start a search, while a command post was established at the corner of Upper Middle Road and Route 202. The coordinates had the females in the woods between Upper Middle Road and the Smith Road.

Assistant Chief Jason Cole arrived on scene with the command vehicle and established command. Rescue crews were sent in on the 6 wheeler and 4 wheeler to try to locate the two females with a GPS unit. After several attempts by the rescue vehicles, it was determined that they could not be accessed by the vehicles due to a small river.

Due to the temperature being 45 degrees and the fact that the females had been in the woods since 4:00 p.m., a helicopter from LifeFlight of Maine was started with night vision goggles and a large spot light was started to assist with the search.

“The command center stayed in contact with the two female patients throughout the search on their cell phone. Both were cold, tired and wet, but were in good spirits. They even told us that they had just taken an outdoor survival class on Saturday. They were able to start a small fire to help keep warm and dry their clothes off and to try to assist us in finding them.” Assistant Chief Cole advised.

Maine State Police and the Maine Warden Service attempted firing their guns to see if the females could hear the gunshots. Rescue vehicles used sirens to try to locate them.

“The females advised they went for a walk on Upper Middle Road around 4pm. They had gone on some trails but got lost and then when it started to get dark around 5:30, they started to get scared. We received the call at 8:20 and immediately set up the command post with maps and sent units in looking for them. Life Flight was started with their specialized equipment to assist at 9:50 and was over the area within a half an hour. They immediately saw the small fire that the females had started to keep warm and dry off. About twenty five minutes later, an EMT from Lebanon Rescue and a Warden located the subject after the helicopter was able to guide them in via the radio and their spotlight at 10:45pm. It took about 16 more minutes and the subjects were helped out of the woods and into a waiting ambulance. Both had minor knee injuries and their clothes were very wet. The fire had kept them warm and helped dry their clothes. Both patients were evaluated at the scene by Lebanon Rescue personnel but did not require transport to the hospital.” Assistant Chief Cole added.

“Lifeflight played a major role in us being able to find the patients and get them out to safety. They probably saved several hours of searching the swampy area by foot and we were able to get the patients out, who were cold and wet.” Assistant Chief Cole added.

Neighbors started to see the emergency vehicles and the helicopter and came to the command post to see if they could help. Many knew of small trails and all advised the area was mostly swamp area.

“The patients were in good spirits, but had not planned on being in the woods for about 7 hours. They both stated they had seen a coyote and when it got dark, they had become very concerned. They had the family dog with them, and he seemed to be ok, but happy to go home.” Assistant Chief Cole added.

Responding to the scene was: Lebanon EMS Command/First Response 1, Lebanon EMS Command/First Response 2, Lebanon ATV 1, Lebanon Rescue 1, Three Maine State Troopers, Two Game Wardens and some Lebanon Firefighters.

Rescue crews cleared the scene at 11:30 p.m. after bringing the patients home.

“Everyone worked together very well and the communication went very smoothly. In the end, the patients were safely found and were very grateful for the rescuers who helped find them.” Assistant Chief Cole added.

The patients names cannot be released due to medical privacy laws. They were a 51-year-old female from North Lebanon and her 16-year-old daughter. Their family dog was also with them.