Copter plucks 3 Scouts from hillside unharmed

MORGAN -- Three Boy Scouts, who were reported missing after attempting to walk from a Porterville church to Fruit Heights after a camping trip, were found unharmed late Saturday afternoon.

Morgan County Search and Rescue crews made verbal contact with the boys -- all 12 years old -- about 5 p.m., Morgan County Sheriff's deputy Derik Noorlander said. The boys were picked up on a hillside by a medical helicopter and returned to safety at 5:15 p.m.None of the three were injured and they were sent home with their parents. The Morgan County Sheriff's Office declined to release the boys' names.

The three had apparently planned to walk from Porterville to Fruit Heights over Francis Peak, a trip of approximately 30 miles, Noorlander said. The boys left the church about 1:30 p.m. Saturday and were reported missing about 3 p.m.

The boys never got close to Francis Peak. About two miles from the church, the boys ran into deep snow, Noorlander said.