Two hikers rescued near Courthouse Rock in Powell County

POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Two hikers are safe after being rescued Tuesday afternoon near Courthouse Rock in Powell County.

Just after 2:30 p.m., Powell County Search & Rescue, along with teams from Lee and Wolfe counties, responded to a 911 call from a female hiker and her male companion in his 20s. The pair had become stranded off-trail, unable to climb back up a small ledge.

Crews set up a low-angle rope system and safely brought both hikers down. Officials said the hikers had food, water, and a battery backup with them but weren’t using digital navigation tools that might have prevented the situation.

Rescue leaders praised the hikers for calling for help and thanked all teams involved in the coordinated recovery effort.