READSBORO, Vt. -- A search and rescue operation last week involving emergency responders from five organizations proved successful in the search for a real estate agent who had become lost while showing a property.
According to Vermont State Police, troopers with the Shaftsbury barracks responded to the report of a missing person on West Hill Drive at 12:45 p.m. last Wednesday. Real estate agent Robert Martins, 67, of Arlington, was showing a piece of land to a prospective buyer and several others when Martins became separated and could not be located.
A state police K-9 unit executed a quick search of the area, but when Martins wasn't located immediately, the Readsboro Fire Department was called in to assist. State Police Sgt. Brian Turner and Readsboro Fire Chief Adam Codogni worked together by organizing a unified command of the search, and based on the size of the area, it was decided that more resources were needed.
Additional state police troopers, including another K-9 unit, along with members of the Whitingham Volunteer Fire Department with four-wheelers were called in. Members of the Florida (Mass.) Volunteer Fire Department were called in with four-wheelers as well, and members of the North Adams Fire Department were also placed on stand-by at the scene.
Several hours into the search, a trooper heard screams for help. Searchers saturated the area and located Martins at 4:15 p.m. hours in an area of thick
Martins was very dehydrated and tired, but otherwise was in good health. Readsboro Fire Department personnel successfully got Martins out of the woods with the assistance of a four-wheeler. Martins was evaluated by rescue personnel on scene and brought home by a state trooper.
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