Military parachutists rescued from trees in Raeford

RAEFORD, N,C, (WTVD) -- Two military parachutists missed their drop zone and got caught in tall pine trees in Raeford Tuesday afternoon.

The pair, entangled 70 feet above ground, was stuck about for two hours because firefighters couldn't get a ladder or truck close enough to the tree.

They were trapped in a heavily wooded area off June Johnson Road, said Maj. Freddy Johnson, a supervisor with Hoke County Emergency Services. That area is a short distance from the Raeford Airport, where other parachutists could be seen Tuesday afternoon.

Johnson said the Fayetteville Fire Department also came in to assist. By 11:30 a.m., Lumbee River Electric was able to rescue the men using their boom truck.

Johnson said the parachutists were not hurt.

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