GREEN RIDGE — The Allegany County Roads Divsion assisted the Maryland Natural Resources Police to clear the way so that officers could reach at least two people who were stranded in the Green Ridge State Forest area Monday morning.

Sgt. Art Windemuth said that two people called around 11 a.m. from private property about three-quarters of a mile off Poly Neil Road asking for help.

Officers were unable to reach them using snowmobiles due to 28 inches of snow in the area, he said.

The county roads crew used a backhoe, which was successful in reaching six other people at a campsite in the forest earlier in the day, Windemuth said.

“The amount of snow caught them unexpected,” he said.

The Maryland State Police medevac helicopter was flying in the area to see if anyone else might need assistance.

Windemuth said that his agency advises people to be wary of weather conditions.