New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Yesterday at approximately 5:15 p.m., State Police Communications forwarded a cellular caller to the Cheshire Barracks who advised that he was hiking with a group of Boy Scouts and that two of the Scouts had become separated from the group in the Pittsfield State Forest. The scouts were equipped with food, tents and sleeping bags. Troopers from the Cheshire Barracks responded to the area, along with State Police K-9, Air Wing and a field patrol supervisor. A reverse 911 call was sent to local residents to advise them to be on the lookout for the scouts.
The New York State Police were also notified, as the State Forest borders New York. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Massachusetts Environmental Police, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Berkshire County Sheriffs Department, Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue, Dalton Fire Department, Lanesboro Fire Department, and County Ambulance Service. Many of these assisting agencies provided various types of off-road vehicles to assist with the search, in addition to personnel.
Troopers paired up with these responders and began tracking two sets of footprints believed to be that of the missing scouts. At approximately 8:25 p.m., the State Police Air Wing advised they had located two parties, South of Barry Pond and that they were waving at the aircraft. Approximately fifteen minutes later, a trooper rescuer on ATV made contact with the scouts, who were found to have erected a tent and started a fire. The two uninjured scouts were assisted from the State Forrest and reunited their group. All assets were clear from the scene by 9:30 p.m. As they are juveniles, the names of the scouts are not anticipated to be released. No charges are anticipated to be filed, and as such, the name of the caller is not anticipated to be released.
Video from the State Police Air Wing can be viewed at https://youtu.be/y8zGJ_l0KJ4.
No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.
