Wash. student rescued after climbing tree to escape wolves

OKANOGAN, Wash. (AP) – Authorities say a research student was rescued after she came across wolves northeast of Winthrop, Washington, in a popular recreation area.

Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers says the student called dispatchers at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday, saying she was about 30 feet (9 meters) up a tree with wolves surrounding it near Tiffany Spring Campground.

The woman told dispatchers that she had been surveying the area and had climbed the tree after encountering wolves.

Deputies and a search and rescue team responded, as well as a state Department of Natural Resources helicopter crew.

Rogers says the helicopter crew saw the wolves as they flew into the area.

The helicopter was able to land and the crew rescued the student.

The sheriff’s office is investigating.

No further information was immediately available.