65-Year-Old Woman Rescued After Spending Two Nights Alone in the Oregon Wilderness

A 65-year-old woman who was separated from her friends while on a mushroom foraging expedition near the Shore Acres State Park in Coos County spent two nights alone in the wilderness before she was rescued.

People Venturing into the Wild Warned to Plan Ahead

Her frightening experience highlights the importance of planning before venturing into the wilderness – tell someone where you are going, dress appropriately, and take cognizance of weather conditions and the terrain, says the Coos County Sheriff’s Office.

Colleen Fiorucci was reported missing to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office at 6.30 p.m. on Friday. She was finally located and rescued after two ground searchers made voice contact with her at 12.30 p.m. on Sunday.

The Woman was Exhausted, Cold and Wet

The rescuers had to make their way through dense, dark bush, before finding Colleen, who was exhausted, cold, and wet. She was helped to an area more accessible by helicopter, and rescuers built a fire to warm her while they waited for the arrival of a Coast Guard helicopter.

Colleen was then hoisted out of the wilderness and flown by helicopter to a local medical facility for treatment.

After receiving the missing report, a Coos County search and rescue team, supported by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, conducted the operation on a private timber property where she was reported to have become separate from her friends while foraging for mushrooms.

Search Postponed by Bad Weather and Dangerous Terrain

However, on Friday night the search was postponed as weather conditions worsened and resumed the following morning, together with K-9 officers and ground search teams. But the search was again suspended on Saturday night because of the dangerous terrain and for safety reasons.

On Sunday, the Coos County team, backed by the U.S. Coast Guard, was joined by search and rescue teams from Curry, Douglas, Jackson, and Siskiyou counties.

References

Coos County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/myccso/…