Two boys had to be rescued Saturday afternoon from an old mining pit near the Mineview in the Sky observation point in Virginia.
Virginia Fire Capt. Roger Scott said five boys evidently had trespassed on the mine property in order to go swimming, and two were unable to make their way back up the unstable and steep banks of the pit. One of the boys used a cell phone to call for help, and firefighters responded at 3:34 p.m.
One 12 year-old-boy lost his footing, slid into water pooled in the pit, twisted his knee and was unable to climb out.
Another 9-year-old boy was stuck about 50 feet up the bank, unable to get any higher, amidst shifting soils.
After anchoring two ropes, four firefighters repelled down to help. Harnesses were attached to each boy, and they were hoisted to safety. Scott estimated that about 200 feet of rope were needed to retrieve the 12-year-old and 150 feet were needed to reach the 9-year-old.
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Firefighters exercised care on the scene not to unintentionally make the situation worse, according to Scott
"There's a lot of boulders and loose sand and rock, so rockslides are always a concern out there," he said.
Two more firefighters also used an inflatable boat to access the scene by water.
The boys were scraped up but not seriously injured, according to Scott. Firefighters cleared the scene about two hours after responding.
Scott said the pit is not a safe place to swim, and it also is private property. People who enter the pit could be subject to trespassing charges.
The Virginia Police Department and the St. Louis County Search and Rescue Squad also responded.
