A Northern California woman stranded in her car survived six days in the snow after she was separated from her companion, authorities said Saturday.
Sheena Gullett, 52, of Little Valley, was located Wednesday by the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office. She had been stranded in her vehicle after it got stuck in the snow on April 14, and she ate snow and a six-pack of yogurt to stay alive, KHSL-TV reported.
According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, Gullett and her friend, Justin Lonich, 48, of Little Valley, were driving on dirt roads when their vehicle became stuck in the snow.
The couple stayed overnight and learned the next day that the vehicle’s battery was dead, the sheriff’s office said.
They tried to return to Highway 44 to get help when they became separated, KCRA-TV reported. Lonich was exposed to the elements for the next three days until he reached the highway and hitchhiked to Susanville on Easter Sunday, according to the television station.
Lonich reported to the sheriff’s office, telling them that Gullett was possibly stranded with the vehicle, KTXL-TV reported.
Heavy snowfall hindered authorities’ search for Gullett, but on Wednesday the weather cleared and the California Highway Patrol used a search team and a helicopter to search the area, the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook.
At about 3 p.m. PDT, a deputy with the sheriff’s office located the vehicle, and Gullett emerged from the vehicle. She told deputies she survived by eating the snow and limiting her yogurt to one pack a day, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said Gullett was not injured and was later evaluated by medical personnel, KTXL reported.