12 people, dog trapped by landslide rescued in Washington state

SKAMANIA COUNTY, Wash. (KATU) — Twelve people, as well as a dog, were rescued after they were trapped by a landslide in Washington state.

The landslide blocked part of a road near Mt. St. Helens early Sunday morning, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The slide was initially reported shortly after 2:15 a.m. EDT.

A trooper with Washington State Patrol confirmed to KATU that a group of visitors to Mt. St. Helens were stranded by the landslide and awaiting extraction. They had been at the observatory when the landslide wiped out the bridge.

The King County Sheriff's Air Support Unit later said they rescued the 12 stranded people and a dog.

Both directions of the road remained blocked through the day and into the next morning.

The Washington State Department of Transportation also said crews were assessing the debris' extent.

People were asked to avoid traveling in the area.