K-9 leads deputies to 76-year-old man trapped under four-wheeler for nearly 5 hours

MASON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ/Gray News) — A West Virginia man was rescued after being trapped under an overturned four-wheeler for nearly five hours in rough terrain.

According to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, K-9 Deputy Chris Connor and his partner, 2-year-old Chica, picked up the trail to help find and bring the 76-year-old to safety.

Connor said he turned to prayer while on the call to help find the man, asking for a sign.

“I prayed one more time, even had his name written on my arm. And then, I heard a voice calling back to me,” Connor said.

Moments later, with help from the Valley Volunteer Fire Department’s drones and Chica, responders were led straight to the man.

“Beginning from when I deployed her, it took about 30 minutes to track him,” Connor said.

First responders rushed in, freeing the man and getting him to safety.

According to the sheriff’s office, the man had been trapped under the four-wheeler for several hours after colliding with a tree near Willow Creek on the Mason-Putnam County line.

“When we started tracking, her nose never came up. She was down on the trail,” Connor said. “She is such a good girl.”

After being found, the man was airlifted to the hospital for treatment.

Crews are crediting training, teamwork and a K-9 that never lost the trail.

“We are extremely proud of our K-9 team and the fire and other first responders involved,” Mason County authorities said.