If killing 'em off doesn't fit right, you could invoke GM powers and move them as necessary--or delegate that to whomever is with them at the moment.

There's also a panic attack that renders them unconscious, refusing to move until help arrives, unable to wake up [I]at this time[/I]...

Um, I mean... No, I don't spend far more time than necessary thinking about how to remove characters from a story through death or less fatal means.  Just spur of the moment here, yes sir. =P