Rangers rescue four adults in rapid Cattaraugus Creek rise

Rangers rush to aid four adults stranded by a rising creek at Zoar Valley, treating them for injuries and helping recover lost car keys.

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, N.Y. — Forest rangers helped four adults after Cattaraugus Creek rose nearly three feet in a matter of minutes last weekend. 

The rescue happened on Sunday, July 13. A forest ranger patrolling Zoar Valley Unique Area noted the sudden rise for the creek and a number of cars still parked on the property at 9:30 p.m.

Two rangers then started a search along the banks of the creek for anyone stuck on the opposite side. 

“Rangers found four adults who swam across the creek and treated them for cuts and bruises,” the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said in a recent newsletter.

The adults lost a number of personal items, including car keys, during the flooding.

“Rangers assisted in making phone calls to get spare keys brought to the trailhead,” the DEC said.