Martin County Sheriff's helicopter guides lost scouts to safety
On Saturday night around sunset, Martin County Sheriff’s aviation and marine units received a call about a group of scouts who became lost while canoeing in the Loxahatchee River.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Maj. John Budensiek said it was because of a spotlight on their helicopter that they were able to help guide the group of lost scouts back to safety.
“Without the light, it would have been almost impossible for our aviator to guide those children safely,” Maj. Budensiek said.
The deputies also used Air 1’s inferred camera to locate the group of scouts.
“Flying into the area they were able to see through a canopy of trees,” Maj. Budensiek said. “The group and their canoes down there. It was pitch black dark down there.”
Deputies said units were also on the phone with the scout leader.
Using the spotlight, the helicopter was able to light a path in the river guiding them back to safety.
“They turn the spotlight on which illuminated the woods and the river for the children, and they were able to make their way about a quarter-mile,” Maj. Budensiek said. “If you saw the video, they were going over logs it wasn’t just canoeing in a straight direction.”
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Department, it is unclear how long the group was missing.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was also involved in the rescue.
We reached out to FWC for information on the scout group but we have not heard back.