Twin County emergency services track down three missing hikers

Dozens of Twin County first responders united Monday night to track down three hikers who went missing in the abandoned mines along Iron Ridge Road.

According to the Galax Fire Department, crews were dispatched shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Monday, March 29 to the 3000 block of Iron Ridge Road for three missing female hikers.

The Galax Volunteer Fire Department, Pipers Gap Rescue Squad, and Baywood Search and Rescue Squad were reportedly requested by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office for manpower in the search.

Officials say the hikers had entered the “old abandoned Iron Mines” at approximately 6 p.m. and could not get back out. However, the hikers found a ventilation shaft, got one bar on a cell phone, and called for help, the department says.

According to fire officials, teams began their searches, they found the hikers alive and well just before 10:15 p.m., but spent another 45 minutes removing them from the caves.

Source wfxrtv.com