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Emergency services have rescued eight people after snow trapped their vehicles in the Alpine National Park, near Mt Hotham, overnight.
One group had to leave their vehicles behind but the second group were able to make their way out.
Graham Gales of Bright SES said the stranded group were relieved to see police and the rescue volunteers.
"They were fairly happy to get out," he said.
"They were a bit tired, a bit cold and happy to get into the car and get driven out."
A police spokeswoman said all eight people, four adults and four children aged between six and 12, were found safe and well about 11am, after rescuers travelled through heavy snow to retrieve them.
In a statement police said occupants from two four-wheel drives, from Victoria, came across another two four-wheel drives, from NSW, that were bogged on Blue Rag Range Track about 4pm on Monday.
"While trying to assist the stranded travellers, their own vehicles have also became stuck and they have contacted emergency services for assistance," it said.
"The four-wheel drivers all had supplies and shelter so a decision was made to reach the group in the morning when conditions were safe."
The NSW group had to leave their vehicles behind as they did not have the appropriate equipment to travel in the snowy conditions.
The Victorian group were able to get their vehicles free and continue on to their homes in Warragul and Raymond Island.
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9.45am
EMERGENCY service workers are trying to save eight people who have been stuck in four four-wheel-drives near Mt Hotham overnight.
The alarm was raised following heavy snowfall yesterday afternoon.
The four adults and four children, aged between six and 12, spent the night in their vehicles on the Blue Rag Range Track west of the Dargo High Plains Road.
It followed an incident on yesterday morning where eight students and two teachers from Beechworth Secondary College were rescued from Mt Bogong.
In other news
The group were in the final day of a five day hike and got caught out in thick snowfall.
Senior Sergeant Doug Incoll said the hikers had set off in the morning and were forced to turn back to a hut, before being recovered about 2pm.
"There was 20 centimetres of snow yesterday," he said.
"We're expecting another 25 centimetres today above 1200 metres, which is where the group of four-wheel-drives are.
"There is an increase in strong winds forecast throughout today."
He said those in the vehicles had adequate shelter, food and water.
Rescue crews gathered about 6am this morning to resume the search, which is being hampered by the deep snow.
"We're making progress and we're continuing to assess the road conditions," Senior Sergeant Incoll said.
"If the snow get insurmountable, we will have to get a bulldozer or other equipment in."
He said the conditions were "terrible", but those in the vehicles were safe and warm.
"The weather can change in the Alpine environment at any time of the year, but at this time of the year the snow can be extreme and last a few days," he said.
"That is exampled by these recent cases.
"People need to be aware of the conditions and undertake a risk assessment of whether they need to change their plans.
"You need to determine whether it's a good idea to go out in the first place."