Connect with us

Kentucky

Ohio hiker missing 2 weeks found alive in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge

Published

on

Ohio hiker missing 2 weeks found alive in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge


CAMPTON, Kentucky — A southern Ohio man who had been missing for two weeks after going hiking in the Daniel Boone National Forest was found alive.

Scott Hern, 48, had last been seen on July 6 before his rescue, according to the Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team. He is still recovering at UK Hospitals in Lexington, a news release says.

“It is truly a miracle that Mr. Hern was found after 14 days and 12 days without any food or water,” says a post from the search team on social media. “We were persistent in our search, but hope was fading.”

Hern had not told anyone he intended to go hiking in the Red River Gorge Area of the forest but he had been seen looking for directions on how to locate Sal Branch Waterfalls, the search team says.

Advertisement

After he was reported missing, his vehicle was found near the head of the Tower Rock Trail. Family members said his diary indicated several locations he planned to visit.

Twenty-five people from Wolfe County Search & Rescue, Powell County Search & Rescue, Red STAR Wilderness EMS and two canine units from Hunter Hounds searched for Hern for several days over rugged terrain, officials say. Despite receiving tips on his possible location, searchers were unable to find him.

On Saturday, the rescue team decided to again search near the falls area Hern had been searching for a located a walking stick and found a shoe print. A short time later they heard Hern yelling for help, the search team says.

Eric Wolterman, a member of the Wolfe County rescue team, says in a post on social media that the discovery of Hern was an emotional moment because searchers had begun to fear he was dead.

“I was the first one to get up to him and I said ‘My name is Eric, I’m with Wolfe County search and rescue, you are safe, we are going to get you out of here,’” Wolterman said. “He looked at me and said “Thank you so much. Will you give me a hug?’ I got teary-eyed and gave him a big hug. I think it was the best hug of both of our lives.”

Advertisement

Kentucky State Police used a helicopter and a hoist to rescue Hern and take him to a hospital. He reportedly was dehydrated and covered in dirt.

“It was a miracle, absolutely,” John May, the chief of the Wolfe County Search & Rescue, tells the Ironton Tribune. “People don’t live that long in the back country without food and water.”



Source link

Kentucky

Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard

Published

on

Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in  backyard


A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.

Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was charged with fetal homicide after taking abortion pills to end her pregnancy in Kentucky, where that is illegal. Kentucky State Police

After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.

Advertisement

Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.

Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”

Cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag in her backyard. AP

It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.

An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.

In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.

Advertisement
The deadly offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. Getty Images

There are no exceptions for rape or incest.

State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.

Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.

The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.

Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Kentucky

Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience

Published

on

Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience


LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.

Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.

Advertisement

Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.

“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.

After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.

Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.

“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.

Advertisement

No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.

Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.

“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.

Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Kentucky

3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County

Published

on

3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County


GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.

“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.

According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.

NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.

Advertisement

Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending