By Sentinel Staff
The Sitka Fire Department Search and Rescue team Saturday went to the aid of a 13-year-old boy who got stuck after falling 400 feet down an icy slope on Harbor Mountain.
He and two other boys, one 13, the other 15, were about a quarter mile south of the Gavan Hill shelter cabin when the accident happened, said search and rescue team captain Matt Hunter.
One of the boys called 911 about 4:30 p.m. to say his friend wasn’t able to climb all the way back up the slope because of the snow.
About 25 rescue team members responded. They had one member climb down to assist the stranded boy, and used ropes to help him climb back up. The rescuers gave the boys something to eat and after they were warmed up everybody walked back down the mountain. They were down by about 11 p.m., the fire department said.
Hunter said that 25 rescuers responded to the call and, in all, 140 volunteer hours were expended in the mission.
“We have a great team,” Hunter said.
