La Crosse firefighters rescued two hikers trapped on a bluff Wednesday evening.
The two college-age hikers got stuck on a steep part of the bluff when night fell, said La Crosse fire Lt. Frank Devine, the department's technical rescue team leader.
"It was slippery and they couldn't see in front of them," he said.
One of the hikers called 911 from a cellphone and said they could see the American Red Cross building from where they were stranded. Firefighters lit up the bluff near Hwy. 16 and Gillette Street and began searching for the couple from the top and bottom.
Devine called the hiker's cellphone and heard her yelling before firefighters found them on the bluff near the end of Sunset Court after about 25 minutes of searching. They were escorted off the bluff without injury.
"This is why we train up there," Devine said.
Hikers should always be aware of their location and carry a flashlight, Devine said. He also recommends carrying a cellphone, which has aided firefighters during each of the last four bluff rescues.
Copyright 2012 - La Crosse Tribune, Wis.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
