A group of kids stranded near a huge flood-mitigation tunnel near Worcester, Massachusetts, were rescued on Sunday, officials said.
The six kids, all between the ages of 10 and 13, were near the Worcester Flood Diversion Channel in Auburn when one called 911 about 4:15 p.m. They had reached the head of the tunnel — part of the area's water infrastructure — and couldn't get back, according to the Auburn Fire Rescue Department.
“I had no shoes on and my other friend didn’t have shoes on so our feet were going numb. Mostly all of our feet were going numb because we were in water that goes up to our waist and it was really cold too," 12-year-old Genevieve Robare said of the unpleasant adventure.
“I slipped on like the rocks because they had like – slippery water all over them because it was under water," 12-year-old Owen Galivan added.
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The entrance to the tunnel is surrounded on three sides by steep rock walls, and water was flowing out of the tunnel, according to an image shared by rescuers Sunday. First responders hoisted the kids up to safety with a rope.
"They were wet, cold and had some minor scratches but had no injuries and did not require transport to a hospital," fire rescue said, noting they called the kids' parents to pick them up.
All of the kids are under 13. Robare said they were looking for small animals in the channel. The friends say they won't ever be going back.
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The Pakachoag Hiking Trail runs along one side of the channel, though the trail's rules urge hikers to stay on it.
