Missing 72-year-old hiker found alive days after frightening 100-foot fall left her badly injured
Mary Beth Granbery, age 72, was found alive near Cabin Creek after falling down a steep embankment during a solo camping trip in Northern California. On Facebook, people shared relief.
A multiday camping trip in Northern California sparked a desperate search after a 72-year-old woman failed to return as expected.
Mary Beth Granbery, a Mount Shasta resident, departed for a multi-day camping trip on Sept. 28 and was expected to return by Oct. 1, according to a press release from Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office.
When Granbery did not show up for work the following day, concerned family members reported her missing, the release said.
GRIZZLY BEAR MAULS HIKER, DRAGS HIM DOZENS OF FEET ON GLACIER NATIONAL PARK TRAIL
A key development came on Oct. 3, when family members located Granbery's camper van at the Cabin Creek Trailhead in neighboring Shasta County, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Siskiyou and Shasta County Sheriff's Offices then joined forces — with deputies and search and rescue teams working together to locate the missing hiker.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office and Shasta County Sheriff's Office for comment and further details.
On Oct. 4, ground crews located Granbery near Cabin Creek, the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office said.
Though she was alive and conscious, she'd suffered serious injuries after falling down a steep embankment, according to the sheriff's office.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Those injuries apparently included a severe knee injury. She also showed signs of exposure when rescuers reached her — and she was disoriented and "nonverbal," according to reports.
With Granbery injured in difficult terrain, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Air Operations assisted in getting her out of the area.
The helicopter crew hoisted Granbery from the trail and flew her to a nearby landing zone.
She was transferred to an air ambulance, according to a Shasta County Sheriff's Office media release.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
She was taken to Mercy Medical Center in Redding for treatment, the sheriff's office said.
"[Granbery] is in stable condition, and her injuries are non-life threatening," the Shasta County Sheriff's Office wrote.
Officials thanked the deputies, search and rescue volunteers, CHP air crew and Granbery's family and friends for their roles in the search and rescue effort.
"Glad she was rescued and prayers for a quick recovery," a Facebook user posted.
"Glad she was found, but that was not the smartest decision she made. She should not be hiking alone. She is old enough to know better," wrote another person.
"Thank you, Lord," said someone else.
Fox News Digital previously reported on another hiker who was found alive after disappearing for a week in a remote national park.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Craig Berg, 70, went missing while on an extended solo hike at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan before fellow backpackers spotted him on Sept. 12.
Berg was suffering from hypothermia when Michigan State Police personnel reached him, and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew later hoisted him from the remote island.
The search involved crews on land, water and in the air, including K-9 teams, drones, seaplanes and a Coast Guard boat.
Bonny Chu of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
The post Missing 72-year-old hiker found alive days after frightening 100-foot fall left her badly injured appeared first on FOX News Media
