Missing sledder found ‘in good spirits’

OSCEOLA — The search for a missing snowmobiler ended successfully around 11 p.m. Monday nightafter 63-year-old Joy Swiecki, Georgia, was located nearly 10 hours after she went missing.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from Mrs. Swiecki’s husband, David Swiecki, when she did not return after six hours from an unaccompanied snowmobile ride from Timberview Lodge, Turin, to the Osceola area, according to a department report.

Mrs. Swiecki was traveling on the railroad when she missed a turn, causing her to leave the trail area. Her snowmobile had became lodged and she was unable to free it. She attempted to call 911, but could not find a signal to complete the call. When sheriff’s deputies began their search, they were unable to pinpoint her location using her cell phone as she had turned it off to conserve her battery.

She had walked for almost eight hours, when sheriff’s deputies located her on Camp Four Road with the use of snowmobiles and the emergency management tracked vehicle, an enclosed, heated Polaris Ranger utility vehicle.

Lewis County emergency services director James M. Martin did not participate in the search, however, he did confirm, “This was the first actual call” in which the vehicle was used since it began operation in December. He said it was reported to him that the radio reception worked well.

Mrs. Swiecki required no medical attention and was found, “in good spirits,” according to Mr. Martin.