SAR rescues 2 youth near Magone Lake

CANYON CITY – (Press Release from Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley)

“On the evening of January 16th, two local youth went for a drive in a lifted pickup, and attempted to get to Magone Lake by way of Beech Creek. 

Near 7:00 pm, Sunday night they became stuck near the 36 junction south of the lake. Family attempted to locate the youth, but due to deep snow, turned back to prevent themselves from getting stuck. Family then called the Grant County Emergency Communications Center near 0230 am on Monday morning. 

Cell phone pings were used to attempt to get a general area of the last known location, and the information was that they were either in the Geary Creek Meadows area to the south, or in the Magone Lake area to the north. 

Deputy Wyllie and Sergeant Komning began searching the Magone direction, and Sheriff McKinley the Geary Creek area. 

Sgt. Komning was able to utilize the Grant County Sheriff’s Office recently acquired surpluss Sno Cat to gain access to the area and he and Deputy Wyllie located the youth near 0545am. 

The youth were unharmed, but the vehicle had become stuck and mechanically disabled. Neither youth were prepared to spend a night out in the cold. They were transported back to family. 

The Sheriff would like to remind the travelling and adventuring public that preparation is a key to survival in our beautiful vastness of Grant County. We hope you explore safe and responsibly. It is usually the short notice, spur of the moment trips that seem to cause the most issues. 

And always, let someone know where you are going, and don’t deviate from that plan. Should you become stuck or stranded, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 541-575-1131or call 911 and we will assist in getting you help.”

Grant County Sheriff

Todd McKinley

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