Hunting Trip Ends with Rescue Mission

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

What began as a father/daughter coon hunting trip ended up in a rescue mission after they were reported missing on Sunday, July 12.

Joey Stevens, 30, of Lovely, and his 14-year-old step- daughter were reported missing when they didn’t return home from their hunting trip.

The caller reported to E-911 that the two had been missing since around 2 a.m. and advised Stevens has Type 1 diabetes.

Searchers found Stevens’ ATV at the entrance to the old abandoned Winco mine works in the Long Branch area and discovered footprints leading underground at the entrance, but no footprints exiting the mine.

A trained mine rescue team from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration office in Pikeville were requested along with Martin County Emergency Management, local volunteer fire departments and law enforcement officers, who also responded to the scene.

Stevens was rescued later that evening after his step- daughter was able to squeeze between fallen rocks and come out of a different mine opening.

Once she was out, she called her mother and informed her that Stevens was still trapped and in poor condition.

Stevens who is a coal miner was not able to fit between the rocks and escape and the 14-year-old was very weak and tired from crawling out of the mine so officials pinged her cell phone and was able to locate her.

Rescuers were able to enter the mine from a different area where they located Stevens and his dog both alive inside the mine and brought them safely to the surface.

Winco Mine is one of the oldest mines in Martin County and hasn’t been in operation since the 1940’s.