Stuck in the New Year

While most people were likely bringing in the New Year at home or out with friends, at least one person spent it out in the winter weather according to a press release from the Carbon County Sheriff’s Department. At approximately 8:23 p.m. on December 31, 2019, the sheriff’s department received a call from Shanae Wilfong. She informed the department that her husband, Matthew Wilfong, was hunting alone near Marshal Road, northeast of Medicine Bow, and had become stuck in the snow and his truck’s fuel light was on.

Crossroads Towing and Recovery, out of Medicine Bow, attempted to reach Matthew Wilfong’s truck, but were unable to due to large snow drifts. Additionally, Deputy Patrick Patterson also attempted to respond in his patrol vehicle and became stuck in the snow. Carbon County Road and Bridge was contacted, but were unable to send out blade operators due to poor visibility.

The press release went on to read that Carbon County Search and Rescue personnel were contacted to bring snow machines and attempt to make contact with Matthew Wilfong. Around 11:51 p.m., two members of Search and Rescue departed on snowmobiles to locate Matthew Wilfong and bring him to safety.

At 12:20 a.m. on January 1, 2020, the two Search and Rescue members returned to the command post and reported that Matthew Willfong had found shelter at the house of a local rancher and would be spending the night there. The truck was left on the road until it could be safely retrieved.