Jennifer Conley Sexton of Roanoke County Fire-EMS sent this release about the successful search for lost hikers:

Lost Hikers Located After Six Hour Search
Hikers planned to camp out until one sprained her ankle

November 29, 2009 (ROANOKE COUNTY) — Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department was dispatched to the Dragons Tooth Trail about 8 p.m. yesterday to locate a lost hiker with an injured ankle. A young man and woman set out yesterday morning to hike the Dragons Tooth trail, planning to meet up with three other male friends in the afternoon and then camp overnight. The female hiker injured her ankle sometime in the afternoon and around that time they met up with the three young men. The boyfriend of the female hiker found his way off of the trail and knocked on a near-by house to call 9-1-1. He then went back to the group and by then it was getting dark. The group attempted to hike out carrying their injured friend but soon became lost.

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue called in their technical rescue teams who searched for six hours before locating the lost hikers. The team then secured the injured hiker in a stokes basket and carried her down the trail to the parking lot where an ambulance was waiting. About 17 county personnel were on scene throughout the night assisting with the rescue effort. Craig County assisted with several personnel.

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue would like to remind citizens who hike the trails in the area to always take a cell phone, compass or gps, enough food and water supplies to last in case you do get lost, and to dress appropriately for the weather.