Dehra Dun: Three lost American tourists were rescued from the forests of the Rajaji National Park near Dehra Dun on Sunday. The tourists were rescued after an over seven-hour-long search operation from the forest after an impulsive decision to see it.

According to police, the three were on their way on Saturday from Mussoorie, where they were staying in a guest house with their families, to Rishikesh when they passed by the park and suddenly decided to go into it. However, they lost their way in the forest as it was getting dark.

When villagers and forest officials saw their empty car standing there on the Doiwala-Dudhli road, the local police were informed on Sunday morning. Clement Town SHO Narottam Bisht said that senior officers were alerted and directed that a search be immediately launched.

A police team successfully found the trio, who were in the jungle overnight, and brought them out.

This comes just a day ahead of the US President's arrival in Ahmedabad for a two-day India visit later today. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

(with inputs from agencies)