La Follette Rescue Squad members save lives of couple stuck on ATV trail

PIONEER, TN (WLAF) – What began at 12:03am Sunday ended up being about a four hour call for members of the La Follette Rescue Squad. A Johnson City couple, a man and a woman, likely had their lives saved by three members of the La Follette Rescue Squad, because when they arrived on two ATVs, weather conditions and the health of the couple were deteriorating.

LRS Chief Charles Hutson explained that they responded to Trail 13 to assist the couple, one with medical conditions, that was stuck and disoriented. “When we arrived, they were both wet and shivering, and the rain had put out their small fire,” said Chief Hutson.

The couple’s Side-by-Side was recovered, but it would barely move under its own power. The drive belt was submerged in muddy water is why, according to the chief. During the four hour rescue, it was consistently wet, muddy, misting rain, and there were three separate heavy rainfall events.

Squad members accompanied the couple off the mountain to Stinking Creek Road and back to their lodging accommodations. The rescue crew then returned via Eagle Bluff Road.

“I’d like to remind everyone to use common sense when venturing out riding this time of year. All trails are slippery, and mud holes are getting rutted out very deep,” said Hutson. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/08/2023-11AM)