Father and two 9-year-old women stranded in snowstorm for 13 hours

March 1, 2023Up to date: March 1, 2023 7:27 p.m.

FILE: Cars are buried in the snow in Running Springs, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. Friday, a father and two girls were on their way home from China Peak Mountain Resort, a skiing destination about 70 miles east of Fresno, when they eventually got stuck in snow on state Route 168. — FILE: Vehicles are buried within the snow in Operating Springs, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. Friday, a father and two women have been on their manner residence from China Peak Mountain Resort, a snowboarding vacation spot about 70 miles east of Fresno, once they finally bought caught in snow on state Route 168.

Jae C. Hong/AP

A highway journey from China Peak Mountain Resort, a snowboarding vacation spot about 70 miles east of Fresno, took an unlucky flip for a father and two 9-year-old women once they have been stranded of their automobile for 13 hours throughout a snowstorm.

Wealthy Nichols, his 9-year-old daughter and her pal have been on their manner down the mountain, which is within the metropolis of Lakeshore, on Friday once they finally bought caught in snow on state Route 168, ensuing from the fierce snowstorms that hit California final week.

Nichols, who’s from Orange County, told Fox 26 he thought he’d have the ability to make it by way of the storm.

“It is a 4×4 Honda Ridgeline truck and I had chains and I’ve taken it to Mammoth and Salt Lake Metropolis, Brian Head, Utah, and by no means had any points wherever nevertheless it was simply, it was a loopy storm,” Nichols stated.

Previously seven days, China Peak has obtained as much as 12 ft of snow in some areas, the resort reported on its website.

On the level the place Nichols bought caught, he was with out cell service. He was in a position, nonetheless, to finally e mail his spouse for assist.

Joanna Nichols, Wealthy’s spouse, advised Fox 26 that she obtained an e mail from him saying “Assist caught on the 168.” She then referred to as California Freeway Patrol from the place she was in Southern California, and thru CHP officers, she was capable of immediate her husband’s rescue. He had suggested that he was someplace between Shaver Lake and China Peak.

Nichols stated {that a} tow truck had come by at one level in the course of the 13-hour wait, however even that driver was unable to assist free his automobile. Nichols and the 2 kids have been finally rescued by CHP and a few accompanying snow plows, he advised Fox 26.

Wealthy and the 2 9-year-olds have been capable of return to Orange County on Sunday.