Lost Marenisco Township Party Rescued

MARENISCO TOWNSHIP, MI - Monday, April 12, 2010 - On April 11, 2010, at approximately 6:37 PM, the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to a call regarding a party of 5 stranded in the woods in Marenisco Township. The group was traveling on the “Ethelwood Grade” and turned off onto a logging road when their vehicle became stuck in the mud. The family was approximately 15 miles north of County Road 523 in Marenisco Township. The lost party had to leave their vehicle in order to get cell phone service to call 911 to get help. Once they were able to get phone service, they were advised to remain where they were and they built a fire to keep warm.

Chief Bruce Mahler of the Marenisco Police Department and deputies Brandon Tauer and Brandon Lyons of the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area. Dispatch was able to triangulate an approximate location of the missing party using their cell phone. Using the information provided, and the description of the area provided by the missing party, officers were able to track them to a logging road approximately 7 miles down the Ethelwood Grade. Officers traveling on the same road, also became stuck in the mud and walked the remaining 3 miles to locate the missing party. Deputy Gordon Koski of the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department was contacted to assist at this time with the rescue wheeler and sled.

At approximately 12:45 AM the stranded group was brought out of the woods. Three teenagers were in good condition. However, the two adults required assistance from the Gogebic County rescue sled to be brought back to the roadway. The lost individuals were checked by ambulance personnel from Marenisco Township Ambulance and Beacon Ambulance and transported to Grand View Hospital for evaluation.

The Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department would like to thank the Marenisco Township Police Department, Marensico Township Ambulance, Beacon Ambulance and Negaunee Regional Dispatch for their help and assistance in the search and rescue of the lost group.