CHITTENANGO -- A rescue operation helped lost hikers at Chittenango Falls State Park Saturday.
The Madison County Sheriff's Department says the 911 center received a call around 6 p.m. that a pair of hikers were lost. Officials at the 911 center were able to speak to the hikers on a cell phone and give deputies their location.
Deputies say the hikers followed emergency lights and made their way to the side of a sharp, steep hill that runs parallel to Chittenango Creek, just north of the main park entrance.
Multiple agencies arrived on scene and began a rope rescue. Rescue workers used a ladder to get over a fast flowing creek. Then, they climbed up a hill on the other side, guiding hikers to the ladder.
The hikers, Brian Abramowitz, 22, of Commack, and Jenna Goldberg, 22, of Jericho were evaluated by medical staff on the scene. They had been trying to find their way out of the park for nearly three hours when they called for help.
