Elderly Woman Found After Withstanding Night In Wilderness
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: October 9, 2012
Imagine getting lost in your own backyard.
That's what happened to a 70-year-old Brown County resident after she stepped outside for a walk.
"We searched today a pasture that was so thick that you couldn't even see searchers that were right in front of you," said Lana Guthrie, the Brown County lead investigator on the case.
Her yard extends some 35 acres.
It's a land full of cactus, creeks and other rough terrain.
That's where she spent the night withstanding the 36 degree weather.
"Very rough terrain and there were areas on the property that her daughter said that that brush is so thick that you couldn't get through it unless you had a machete," said Guthrie.
Brown county officials say she called them from her cellphone the next day.
It was that same device that helped them narrow down her location as they searched for hours.
"You know we do the best we can with what we have: cellphones, radios, however we have to do it," said Guthrie.
Officials brought in a helicopter and any volunteers they could find to help.
Two Brookesmith residents were working on their property when they heard yelling.
"We ran to where the helicopters were, got underneath it and looked everywhere," said Coy Blummett.
They immediately joined the search.
They walked for more than five hours throughout the rough terrain.
Their scratches prove just how tough the conditions were.
"Thickets everywhere, there were two creeks that run up the place, i mean we were up and down everywhere," said David Crysler.
Neither of them knew her personally, they just knew they had to help.
"Hey, if you can help somebody you just step in and help you know, especially if its somebody elderly that needs it," said Blummett.
Nearly 26 hours later, she was finally found.
All thanks to the work of an entire community- helping one of their own.
That's what happened to a 70-year-old Brown County resident after she stepped outside for a walk.
"We searched today a pasture that was so thick that you couldn't even see searchers that were right in front of you," said Lana Guthrie, the Brown County lead investigator on the case.
Her yard extends some 35 acres.
It's a land full of cactus, creeks and other rough terrain.
That's where she spent the night withstanding the 36 degree weather.
"Very rough terrain and there were areas on the property that her daughter said that that brush is so thick that you couldn't get through it unless you had a machete," said Guthrie.
Brown county officials say she called them from her cellphone the next day.
It was that same device that helped them narrow down her location as they searched for hours.
"You know we do the best we can with what we have: cellphones, radios, however we have to do it," said Guthrie.
Officials brought in a helicopter and any volunteers they could find to help.
Two Brookesmith residents were working on their property when they heard yelling.
"We ran to where the helicopters were, got underneath it and looked everywhere," said Coy Blummett.
They immediately joined the search.
They walked for more than five hours throughout the rough terrain.
Their scratches prove just how tough the conditions were.
"Thickets everywhere, there were two creeks that run up the place, i mean we were up and down everywhere," said David Crysler.
Neither of them knew her personally, they just knew they had to help.
"Hey, if you can help somebody you just step in and help you know, especially if its somebody elderly that needs it," said Blummett.
Nearly 26 hours later, she was finally found.
All thanks to the work of an entire community- helping one of their own.
