NEVERSINK — At approximately 8:42 p.m. on Tuesday, the Rock Hill Fire Department (RHFD) received reports of three missing hikers at the Neversink River Unique Area.

The area, also known as the Neversink Gorge, spans over 4,000 acres and crosses the borders of the towns of Thompson and Forestburgh and is a popular hiking and fishing spot.

According to RHFD Chief Brian Soller, since the reopening from COVID-19, the popular hiking trail has become busier than usual.

Chief Soller said a family of five from New Jersey - two parents, and their children ages 16, 18, and 21 - started at the Katrina Falls trailhead and were following the blue trail late Tuesday afternoon.

Chief Soller said the parents grew tired and went back to the trailhead while the children continued. As the hours passed, the parents started to worry that their children had not returned.

Chief Soller said cellular service in that area is spotty, and it took a while for the parents to get a strong enough signal to dial 911.

Once the call came in, RHFD responded and knew that the terrain of the trail was rough, and their ATV was only going to get them so far.

About 20 firefighters, with assistance from the New York State Forest Rangers and the New York State Police, headed to the trails on foot to search for the three siblings. Chief Soller said his firefighters hiked about 15 to 20 miles while searching for the family members.

With assistance from the Forestburgh Fire Department and Westbrookville Fire Department, other trailheads were searched.

“It was exhausting. They [RHFD] pretty much worked non-stop from [the time] we were dispatched until 5 a.m. constantly on your feet and moving. It was just a waiting game,” said Chief Soller.

While looking for the siblings, Chief Soller said they ran into another family that was lost and were trying to find their way back to the trailhead.

Chief Soller said the big break came during the early morning hours the next day when one of the siblings was able to get a signal and sent his GPS location using the Waze map app.

Once the RHFD received the GPS coordinates, it lead them straight to the siblings.

However, they found the siblings high upon a ridge below High Falls, which Chief Soller said was quite a hike to get to.

“They were up on top of a high, very steep, rocky area,” said Soller.

Once they reached the young family members, they were able to get them back on the trail and have them reunited with their family. They were not treated on the scene, and according to Chief Soller, once they were reunited with their parents, they left.

Chief Soller said the hikers were not prepared for the hike as they only had cell phones with them and very little water.

He went on to say, for those going to the hiking area, that the Neversink Gorge is not just an ordinary park, it has rough terrain that you have to be prepared for.

“[Be] prepared, [and] don't count on your cell phone, because it's a slim chance that you're going to be able to get a 911 call out if you have a problem. [Also] be prepared [by] wearing proper footwear and having water, a flashlight, and having some food just in case something happens,” said Soller.

He also suggested not to start hiking late in the day.

Chief Soller said his crew did a phenomenal job in the search as they have experience in finding hikers at the Neversink Gorge.

“Everybody's become very experienced in the lay of the land, trail system and the terrain,” said Chief Soller.

The RHFD was assisted by mutual aid from New York State Police, Forestburgh Fire Department, Westbrookville Fire Department, Sullivan County Bureau of Fire, Sullivan County 911 and Hatzolah EMS.