HMB residents returned to safety after becoming lost in snow


By on Sat, January 23, 2010

Half Moon Bay residents Sally Coverdell, 55, and her 24-year-old son Robert Coverdell have been returned home safely after becoming lost while skiing at Kirkwood Montain on Thursday, reports the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

The pair were last seen at the top of Chair 6 around noon on Thursday, prompting an search by Amador County and Alpine County search and rescue personnel, according to the statement.

The initial search was unsuccessful and Alpine County and Amador County personnel were joined by El Dorado County, the U.S. Forest Service and a search helicopter from the Fallon Naval Air Station Friday morning.

The mother and son walked out to Highway 88 about 10:30 a.m. on Friday and met a Forest Service snowmobile unit that was preparing to search the area, according to the statement.

“They had become disoriented in the blizzard conditions the night before, and ended up in the Silver Lake area,” according to the statement. “They were able to get into a cabin where they spent the night, hiking out this morning.”