LOGAN — A 14-year-old boy was found safe Sunday morning following more than 12 hours of searching by crews along the Utah-Idaho border. The teenager went missing on Saturday while snowmobiling with friends and family in the Franklin Basin area, in Logan Canyon.
Franklin County, Idaho, Sheriff Cuyler Stoker confirmed that the snowmobiler was located. He was transported to Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital as a precaution, but Stoker said the teen didn’t appear to have any signs of frostbite or any other serious injuries during an initial examination, despite spending the night in sub-zero temperatures.
Stoker explained that other than being cold, the boy was in really good health and really good spirits. He walked himself to searcher’s all-terrain vehicle and then when he arrived back to the command location, he got himself off and walked over, climbed into the ambulance where paramedics were able to check on him.
Cache County Sheriff’s Lt. Roy Hall said the boy, had last been seen riding a yellow snowmobile in Franklin County, Idaho, but was reported missing after his group noticed his absence and could not find him nearby. Search efforts began at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 when the Cache County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team responded to the Franklin Basin Road trailhead in Logan Canyon to assist Franklin County officials.
A Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter and a team of drones were deployed to map the area and search for any signs of life. They were equipped with special tools to detect heat signatures and evidence of movement.
Hall said searchers also attempted to ping the missing snowmobilers cell phone repeatedly. Those pings though were never received by the boy’s cellular device.
Early Sunday morning at 2 a.m., the Weber County Sheriff’s Office deployed a team to relieve Cache County’s crew, who had been working through the night in harsh, arctic-like conditions with temperatures dipping to -15F.
Stoker said the teen was eventually located in a forest area southwest of where he was last seen on Saturday, having spent the night in below-zero temperatures.
Authorities say they’re “extremely thrilled” by the outcome. They also say it serves as a reminder about having a plan ahead of time in case something goes wrong while adventuring in the outdoors. Avalanche beacons and other safety gear are also encouraged for winter sports.
Stocker said they always want everybody to get out and recreate, and enjoy the outdoors. You want to do those things with your family. They’re wonderful activities — just have a plan.
Hall expressed appreciation to the search and rescue teams from Franklin and Weber counties, and other agencies for their assistance in the “dangerous and harsh weather conditions.” Those crews left behind whatever it was that they were each doing when the call for help came to help another in need.