BEND, Ore. -- A 13-year-old girl on a holiday family outing south of Bend became lost Monday, triggering a four-hour search that involved more than 30 people and ended happily, authorities said.
Deschutes County 911 dispatchers received a call around 11:30 a.m. from Melanie Bryant, who said her daughter, Cassie, was missing in the Arnold Ice Cave area, said sheriff’s Deputy Mike Biondi, the SAR operations manager.
The teen had been hiking and exploring caves in the area when she decided to go ahead of her family, hiking up a small hill, Biondi said.
The family was not able to find her and search the area for about an hour before calling authorities.
Deputies and Forest Service officers responded and began to search, using vehicles and ATVs, Biondi said. Sheriff’s Search and Rescue was requested, and despite it being Labor Day, 31 volunteers responded to help, he said.
SAR members searched the area on foot and in vehicles, also using tracking, horse and ATV teams, Biondi said.
A passer-by found Bryant around 2:30 p.m. on Forest Service Road 18 (China Hat Road) and she was brought to SAR’s command post.
Biondi said the girl was found in good condition and did not require medical attention.
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