Woman Shares Frightening Ordeal After Getting Lost Hiking With 10-Year-Old Nephew

A woman who spent nearly five hours lost in the woods at night with her 10-year-old nephew shares her story after they got lost while hiking.

The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team used horses, search dogs, ATV’s and drones to find them and bring them to safety.

Cassie Gullick said it was cold, it was scary, and she was panicking, but she was trying to be brave for her 10-year-old nephew, Cayden. She said once they were found, it was really a humbling experience, because it showed her just how much good, is in the community.

"I knew about 5 [p.m.] that we were in trouble. I said we've got to hurry,” said Gullick.

Gullick said she and Cayden sat in the dark for hours, wondering if they'd ever be found.

“I'm thinking be loud, we are scared, it was getting cold,” said Gullick.

Gullick said they went for a hike along the Will Rogers Horse Trails, took a wrong turn, and then couldn't find their way back out. Luckily, she had just enough phone battery to call 911. After hours of searching, crews found Gullick and Cayden, but couldn't get to them because the terrain was too steep and thick.

"I was communicating with them, but they couldn't get up there to us,” said Gullick. “So, then we would see them drive off and I'm like oh no they are leaving. Come back. We are yelling and waving our flashlights."

Crews used horses and ATV’s to get to Gullick and Cayden, then they used a boat to bring them to safety.

The Rogers County Search and Rescue team is made up of nearly 40 people who volunteer their time, equipment, horses and search dogs, to help people at a moment’s notice.

“The common thread for every one of them is if you were to ask them why are you doing this? It’s very exciting for them but they all care about helping someone else,” said Major Coy Jenkins with the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office. “The heart of a volunteer, there’s nothing like that. And that’s true.”

“I kind of started crying because these people don’t have to come and help me,” said Gullick. “They choose to. With everything going on in the world, all you ever see is bad from police. It’s not right because they do this just out of the kindness of their hearts.” 

Gullick said after their rescue, Cayden told her he wants to be a volunteer firefighter and then become a police officer, so he can help people too.