Debbie Crabtree Watson, a resident of Revelo who was last seen on approximately August 17, Monday, and reported missing Thursday evening, was located, rescued, and transported by EMS to the hospital earlier today. Rescuers at the scene were optimistic about her recovery.
Last night, Pine Knot Fire and Rescue and the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office conducted a grid search for the missing woman along the railroad tracks northward from Coal Pit Road in Revelo to the downtown Stearns area. This morning, the mother of Watson’s grandchildren, Sandra, who had originally raised the alarm concerning Watson’s whereabouts, continued her own search southward into the Mud Cut area along the railroad tracks.
At approximately 11:00 a.m. today, Sandra found Watson’s dog alive near the tipple area at Mud Cut. Pine Knot Fire and Rescue and the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office immediately joined the search.
At approximately 1:00 p.m., Sandra found one of Watson’s shoes. Pine Knot Fire and Rescue Chief Tim Cox changed search locations, and according to Sandra, found Watson almost immediately.
“He found her like within a minute,” Sandra said.
Cox, along with Pine Knot Lieutenant Firefighter and Paramedic Zack Starrett, and McCreary County Deputy Sheriff Alex Jones, rendered medical aid at the scene and assisted Watson in a Stokes Basket as she was hoisted up a steep embankment beside the railroad tracks. McCreary County EMS and Pine Knot Fire & Rescue performed the heavy-rope work needed to hoist the basket and patient to safety. McCreary County EMS continued medical aid during Watson’s transport to the hospital.
Sandra had ample praise for the rescuers, saying they had helped every step of the way.
Heartbeat sends a big thank you and shout-out to Pine Knot Fire & Rescue for a job well done! Heartbeat also commends McCreary County EMS and the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts. Plus, a big thank you goes out to Sandra for noticing and caring enough to initiate the search for her children’s grandmother and for not giving up until Debbie Crabtree Watson was safely found.
Folks like these are what make MCCREARY STRONG, MCCREARY PROUD!
