A woman survived for six days stranded in the snow in a remote area of Lassen County by rationing yogurt and eating snow, according to a statement from the Lassen County Sheriff's Office.
For more, stream KCBS Radio now.
According to the statement, Justin Lonich, 48, and Sheena Gullett, 52, were driving to Little Valley, where they’re both from, on Thursday, April 14.
The two were driving on dirt roads off of Highway 44, when their car got stuck in the snow. They spent the night sheltered in their car, but the next day the battery died. With little options, the pair began walking back towards the highway to seek help.
This is where things took a dire turn. Gullett starting falling behind when her shoes started falling apart and Lonich soon lost track of her. When the two became separated he walked back to try to find her, but couldn’t due to heavy snowfall.
Lonich continued on towards the highway, stopping at night to get shelter and build a fire. Finally, on Sunday, he reached the highway and was able to get help. He reported the details of the incident to the Sheriff's Office, including that Gullett was still out there somewhere, possibly sheltered in their car.
As the search began, Gullett was in fact sheltering in the car and rationing a six-pack of yogurt, eating one a day to stay alive.
The search was initially difficult as Lonich wasn’t familiar with the area and unsure of the roads they had been on.
Along with ground searches, when the weather was clear, the California Highway Patrol flew over the area in a helicopter but they still couldn’t find Gullett.
It wasn't until Wednesday, April 20, around 3 p.m that the car was found, and Gullett was located alive, physically unharmed but emotional. She was taken for medical evaluation and has now been safely returned home.
LISTEN to KCBS Radio
FAVORITE KCBS Radio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
