By Roxana Navarro
09 Sep 2024, 01:56 AM EDT
A woman who was lost in a canyon near the Yuba River in Northern California was found by rescue crews in Nevada City after going without supplies for 12 days. The hiker was severely dehydrated and was airlifted to a hospital.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said the woman, identified as Esmeralda Marie Pineda, 24, of Sacramento, had been missing in the canyon since Aug. 25, when she went camping with friends along the Middle Yuba River.
“Immediate medical attention was required”
“Deputies located Pineda, severely dehydrated and emaciated. She required immediate medical attention,” the Nevada County Sheriff said in a statement.
He added: “Officers radioed for a life flight and the California Highway Patrol responded with their helicopter; firefighters from the North San Juan Fire Department also responded for the rescue.”
After locating her, Pineda was transported to a hospital for treatment and it is unknown how serious the injuries she suffered may be and her health condition after so many days.
A dangerous area
“The search began the same day and the area in question was treacherous in nature and required Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers to repel in and out of the canyon to search for her,” the sheriff said.
After announcing her missing, authorities began searching for her on Aug. 26, and as part of efforts to locate her, NCSO Sergeant Dustin Moe and his partner used an all-terrain vehicle off the department’s highway to search more mountainous areas.
“Their search paid off when they found Pineda, 12 days after she was initially reported missing,” they said.
Authorities said Pineda must have scaled the canyon walls before being rescued. They were unsure how she survived nearly two weeks in the desert without enough supplies to keep her safe.
Nevada City is located just over 60 miles north of Sacramento, California.
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