A large emergency response was launched Wednesday afternoon after a group of 71 girls from a Monsey school became lost while exploring underground tunnels in Nyack.

Sources tell Monsey Scoop that the group began at Memorial Park and followed a creek that eventually led them into an underground section. The children reportedly continued exploring for nearly a half-mile, reaching an area near downtown Nyack before becoming confused and unable to find their way back.

After authorities were alerted, emergency responders from Chaverim of Rockland, Orangetown Police, the Nyack Fire Department, Hatzolah EMS of Rockland County, and additional agencies from across Ramapo and neighboring communities responded to assist.

Rescuers worked to ensure all 71 students and their chaperones were safely accounted for. Several individuals were evaluated at the scene for dehydration and exhaustion after spending an extended period walking through the tunnels, but no serious injuries were reported.

Nyack Mayor and Democratic candidate for New York State Senate District 38, Joe Rand, helped coordinate efforts at the scene and later told Monsey Scoop:

“We’re grateful for the work of the Orangetown Police Department, who responded very quickly once they learned there were young girls inside the culvert. The girls entered from Memorial Park and were exploring, which kids do. They wanted to see what they could find and made it almost a half-mile from Memorial Park to the middle of town before becoming alarmed.

Someone discovered they were down there and called 911. Police responded, along with numerous emergency agencies from Ramapo, New Square, and surrounding communities. We’re very grateful they came down to help, and especially grateful to the Orangetown Police Department.

Nobody was seriously hurt, nobody was lost, everyone has been accounted for, and everything is fine now. We’re thankful for the hard work of all the responders and very glad these children are okay.”

All members of the group were ultimately located and safely escorted out, bringing the incident to a successful conclusion. Officials credited the coordinated efforts of first responders and local leaders for helping ensure a safe outcome for everyone involved.