*** Kids Survive a Chilly Night *** Date: Thu, 2 Oct 1997 From: Bruce_Bowler@dot.state.ak.us (Bruce Bowler) Subject: Yeah PAWS! To: sarinfo@istar.ca The Associated Press FAIRBANKS -- After losing a trail near Chena Hot Springs, four children survived a freezing night in the wilderness by huddling together under a makeshift poncho tent. "I had to tell myself everything was going to be OK," said 9- year-old Samuel Herreid, who spent more than 18 hours in the woods with his brother, sister and cousin before being rescued Monday by an Alaska State Troopers helicopter. Walt Herreid took his three children -- Benjamin, 14, Jennie, 13, and Samuel -- and their cousin Reidar Herreid, 11, to the Angel Rock trail Sunday for a hike. They reached the rock outcropping about 1:30 p.m. Benjamin, a freshman cross-country runner, wanted to continue along the 8.7- mile trail to Chena Hot Springs. The other children went with Benjamin, while his father returned to the car to drive to the hot springs. About halfway to the hot springs, the young quartet lost their way in a dense fog. By evening, Walt Herreid was worried. He walked the entire trail in the dark, but didn't find the children. Alaska State Troopers were called, and a helicopter was on the scene by 11 p.m. with a spotter using night vision goggles. Wilderness Search and Rescue and a dog team headed out early Monday. "We had four teams, one up the left trail, one up the right trail, one starting from the hot springs back toward the loop trail, and one in reserve. The first team reached the summit about 7:00 or so and started calling. The Search dog's head snapped to the direction of the kids, then the handler heard the voices. The children had wandered half a mile off trail. PAWS was able to contact the helicopter about which drainage the kids were in, and the chopper then located them and brought them out. This one was a great team effort. I'm proud of these guys" said Cathie Harms from PAWS. Bruce Bowler. SEADOGS, Juneau, Alaska -------------------------------