Published January 13, 2015
Authorities say a deputy got within a quarter mile of a missing Nevada family on the first night of the search for them in subfreezing temperatures, but turned back before finding them because of treacherous conditions.
The couple and children who vanished Sunday were found in good condition Tuesday after surviving temperatures around 16 degrees below zero. All were out of the hospital by Thursday.
Pershing County Emergency Management Director Charles Sparke tells the Reno Gazette-Journal (http://on.rgj.com/1bDrYaq) the deputy didn't follow tracks because the dirt road was steep and he didn't have backup in case he got stuck.
Sparke says he doesn't blame the deputy for the missed opportunity, but wishes the deputy would have told supervisors he couldn't complete the search so someone else could have done it.
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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com
https://www.foxnews.com/us/nevada-family-lost-in-subzero-temperatures-nearly-found-on-1st-day-of-search