A routine hiking trip for a group of California Boy Scouts transformed into a dramatic rescue mission this week, culminating in the discovery of a missing 80-year-old US Navy veteran who had been lost in the wilderness for three gruelling days.
The heroic teens from Boy Scout Troop 681, based in Gilroy, were navigating a trail in the remote Santa Cruz Mountains on Sunday when they made the startling find. The scouts spotted Douglas Montgomery, disoriented and dehydrated, lying beside the path near Mount Madonna.
A Veteran's Ordeal
Mr. Montgomery, a respected Navy veteran, had vanished on Friday after leaving his home for a walk. His family reported him missing, sparking an extensive search operation led by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. For days, search teams combed the vast, challenging terrain with no success.
Despite the efforts of official search parties, it was the sharp eyes and preparedness of the young scouts that ultimately located the elderly man. They immediately offered him their own food and water, stabilising his condition while they alerted adult leaders and called emergency services.
Swift Action and a Happy Ending
The scouts' training kicked in perfectly. They assessed the situation, provided crucial first aid, and guided rescuers to the exact location. Mr. Montgomery was subsequently airlifted to a local hospital, where he was treated for exposure and dehydration and is now expected to make a full recovery.
Sheriff's officials and the Montgomery family have heaped praise on the boys, hailing them as true heroes whose actions directly saved a life. This heartening story underscores the immense value of programmes like the Scouts, which instil outdoor skills, civic duty, and level-headedness in a crisis.
