No one found: Douglas County Search and Rescue activated twice for SOS signals

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Douglas County Search and Rescue said it was called two of the past three nights for reports of an SOS signal near the Colorado Trail.

The first report of the SOS signal came Thursday night. Multiple airplanes reported what appeared to be SOS signaling from a light on the ground near Indian Creek and Colorado Trail.

Because of this, a “host” of teams on foot were out searching until the early morning hours of Friday. The organization was also able to fly its drone to search for the person in distress, but “found no indication on the ground of someone in distress.”

An “SOS” signal by light consists of three short flashes followed by three long flashes and finished with another three short flashes, which is Morse code.

On Saturday night, crews were called out again. This time, the search and rescue workers were also tackling a missing adult and a “walk-in” medical case for search and rescue volunteers who were camping in Rampart Range. The group was camping so they could be “on standby” for any potential emergencies during Labor Day.

Pilots once again reported seeing what appeared to be a hiker signaling SOS with a flashlight near the Rampart Range and the Colorado Trail. Search teams were sent out to find the hiker, with some on foot, some on ATVs and others flying drones. The search and rescue group said they searched a wide area, including the exact coordinates given for the SOS signal, throughout the night.

“Please note, if you happen to be in that area and are signaling aircraft with an SOS recreationally, it’s taken seriously and results in rescuers being called out to comb a broad area of pretty challenging terrain – so please only signal aircraft if it’s truly an emergency,” the Douglas County group said on Facebook.

The agency reported it’s been called out “two of the last three nights” for the SOS signal. Some commenters noted they hoped the SOS signals were not due to pranksters, but the search and rescue agency took it in stride.

“We go where called,” the group wrote in a comment reply. “It’s a privilege to serve.”

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