BOONE, Iowa—Earlier this year, efforts were underway to rejuvenate Boone County Search and Rescue. The effort focused on updating equipment, recruiting volunteers, and training those volunteers. Boone County Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Hayes and Boone County Sheriff Andy Godzicki have continued move ahead with those efforts. This week, Boone County Search and Rescue posted on their Facebook page information about a rescue event that turned out very well:

On 07/17/24 at 10:12 AM a call came into the Boone County 911 Communications Center for a person in distress in the woods South of Seven Oaks. Dispatchers were able to keep the caller on the line and map the call to North of 230th St. and South of Coal Valley Creek.

Boone County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrived on scene in the area and were able to provide drone support during the Search. Due to the dense foliage the drone was unable to locate the victim, but the victim was able to hear the drone overhead, allowing our members to narrow the search area.

Based on the collected data members of our Ground Search team were able to perform a coordinated search and quickly located the victim halfway down a steep ravine. Due to the individual’s condition EMS from the Boone County Ambulance were brought down the ravine to evaluate the victim.

During this time an initial plan was put into place to extract the victim via UTV, but ultimately after members were able to map out a significantly less steep route out of the ravine the victim was able to walk out assisted. Once out the victim was transported via Ambulance to the Boone County Hospital.

The successful Rescue of the victim was made possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Boone County Ambulance, Boone County 911 Communications Center, Ogden First Responders, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and members of our Ground Search team.

(contributed information and photos, Boone County Search and Rescue)