Two Hikers with Special Needs Found Safe

ULSTER COUNTY, New York - Two lost hikers with special needs were located Friday after going missing in the Catskills.

The two were separated from their hiking group on Thursday afternoon, which prompted an extensive search through the mountain terrain of Sam's Point and Ice Cave Mountain.

One of the hikers is 18 and the other is in his 20s.

"This was a very fortunate situation that could have been a disaster and it could have ended very tragically," said Rabbi Abe Friedman with the Ulster County Sheriff's Office.

They were part of a group of 16 hikers and four counselors from a camp in South Fallsburg.

Dozens of highly trained search and rescue volunteers jumped into action to search for them, even during an intense thunderstorm in the area.

State police, park rangers and members of the Orthodox Jewish community used ATVs, infrared drones and search equipment to find them.