By Bert Gambini
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-936489.mp3
Gowanda, NY – Seven people have been rescued early Tuesday morning from deep in Zoar Valley. What began Monday as a search for an injured hunter turned into a rescue attempt for seven people.
The hunter was trapped in Zoar Valley, along Cattauragus Creek in Gowanda. A rescue of party of six was dispatched. They were able to find the victim but became stranded after darkness fell.
Subsequent rescue attempts by the Erie County Sheriff's Department Air-One helicopter had to be abandoned because of bad weather. Blankets and supplies however were lowered to the stranded party, all of whom have now been brought out. Steve Raiport of the Gowanda Fire Department spoke with reporters as the rescue was in progress and said the group was in a dangerous spot of the valley.
The injured 18-year-old hunter, whose name has not been released, reportedly broke his leg and suffered a head injury after apparently losing his footing and falling some 50 feet. He was the first of the 7 brought to safety shortly after 3 o'clock this morning. High waters, wind and limited visibility made the rescue especially challenging.