A group of Boy Scouts found themselves in a precarious situation on Saturday when a river trip in West Virginia unexpectedly turned into a dramatic rescue operation due to swift floodwaters.
As the scouts navigated the Cacapon River in Hampshire County that afternoon, the water levels surged rapidly, compelling the troop to seek refuge on the riverbank.
The scouts, hailing from Fairfax, Virginia, soon realized they were marooned on the opposite side of the river, unable to cross back to safety.
Micah Campbell, who was accompanying the group, shared with Fox News Digital that what was intended to be a routine outing swiftly escalated into a dangerous scenario when a storm caused conditions to deteriorate.
In related news, a young girl in Texas was successfully rescued after becoming trapped when a sand hole she was digging caved in on her.
The 28 Boy Scouts were eventually rescued after the rising waters stranded them along the banks of the Cacapon River in West Virginia, highlighting the unpredictable nature of outdoor adventures. (Photo credit: Jeffrey West)
“We were doing a river trip and the current and the strength of the river turned out to be a little stronger than we thought,” Campbell said.
Campbell said the scouts initially moved toward land for safety before realizing they were stranded.
“When some of the boys went into the river, we decided to call it off and go on shore,” he said. “And now we were on the wrong side of the river, so we needed some help getting across.”
TEXAS SUMMER CAMP EVACUATED 70 STAYING NEAR RIVER AHEAD OF FLOODING: ‘SAW IT COMING’
A troop from Fairfax, Virginia, became stranded during a river trip in West Virginia before rescue crews brought them to safety. (Jeffrey West)
Jeffrey West, whose father owns a cabin near where the scouts became stranded, said rescue crews were called to the scene.
Watercraft eventually arrived and transported the boys safely across the river.
Altogether, the scouts were stranded for roughly 45 minutes.
“It’s been a day,” West said with a laugh, adding that he had originally planned a “quiet weekend at the cabin.”
Emergency crews responded after a Boy Scout troop became stranded along a river in Hampshire County, West Virginia. (Jeffrey West)
West said the boys later gathered at the cabin, where they were given pizza and hot cocoa while waiting for transportation home.
He added that arrangements were being made to shuttle the scouts out of the area.
–>
