Stranded snowmobilers retrieved by Search and Rescue

Lewis and Clark County Search and Rescue responded to a call Thursday, Feb. 16. to help three snowmobilers who called 911 requesting assistance after they found themselves stuck in the area of Keep Cool Lakes, northeast of Lincoln.

Lewis and Clark County Deputy Sheriff Robert Rivera first responded to the call and requested the assistance of Search and Rescue to help locate the trio, which included a 60-year old male, a 62-year old male and a 58 year old female, identified as Mark Baze and Mark and Mary Dawkins.

According to Sheriff Leo Dutton, none of the three were injured and all were sober, but they lacked survival supplies beyond Baze's cell phone, which they used to call 911.

Search and Rescue headed into the area from Copper Creek to locate the stranded snowmobilers. However, Mark Dawkins left the group to go for help, but left the cell phone with Baze. Dutton said without a cell phone, Search and Rescue had no way to contact him, until they eventually located him.

According to Dutton, Baze felt that Search and Rescue had saved their lives.

"Mark's advice, when I asked him if he could give anyone advice from what he learned, (he) said, 'stay together and bring more equipment. I wish I'd had a flair gun,'" Dutton said. Dutton added that the cell phone was an important piece of safety equipment that allowed them to contact 911 before they succumbed to the elements.

Dutton said anyone going out to enjoy the outdoors should be prepared for the unexpected by remembering the following:

A communications device. A cell phone, satellite phone or a personal locator beacon.

 The weather will change, expect it. Pack some type of warming device. 

A signaling device for day and night operations where you can attract attention of the rescue party or others

.

A shovel, rope or cord and a small plastic tarp to shield or insulate you. 

Matches, or some material to create heat. A fire is also a signaling device. 

Let someone know when you expect to return. 

Stick to your plan, if you deviate from what route was, the chances of us finding you are quickly diminished. 

Never give up hope, but don't make it your strategy. 

For more information you can reach Sheriff Leo Dutton at 406-431-2545, or email him at [email protected]