ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona woman details being missing in forest for 3 days after getting lost on walk

Dec 14, 2023, 4:35 AM

PHOENIX — An Arizona woman was rescued last week after she spent three days in the forest with her dog and no phone in frigid December temperatures.

Joann Ward took her dog, Mia, on a walk near her and her husband’s motor home in Bagdad on Dec. 5 at about 3 p.m. when she attempted to take a shortcut.

The new route instead ran them into a ravine. Ward, who did not have her cellphone on her, searched for a road and couldn’t find one. As night rolled in, Ward found a tree and curled up there with Mia for the night, hoping to stave off the cold and coyotes in the area.

When was a missing person’s report filed for Ward?

Search crews began looking for Ward the first night she went missing about 125 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix, but were unsuccessful.

The next morning, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office put out a bulletin urging the public to help find Ward.

The 62-year-old woman said on the second day, she heard helicopters in the area but couldn’t get close enough to them to be noticed.

Ward’s husband, Jim, started to worry that his wife had been injured and couldn’t physically get out of the forest.

That wasn’t the case, according to Ward.

“I knew they were out looking for me,” Ward told YCSO. “I could see all the activity and that gave me hope and the strength to keep going in the direction that they were working.”

Ward and Mia spent another night in the cold.

How was Ward found by rescue teams?

The third day proved to be fruitful in the search.

She said she again heard helicopters in her area, but also started to hear vehicles.

Ward found her way to a road and soon after, ran into a group of people who were searching for her.

“They asked me my name … they told me ‘We’ve been looking for you for days,'” Ward said.

John Harris, who manages a YCSO search and rescue team, said about 50 people helped look for Ward. The woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

“When I came into the camp and saw how many [people] were out there, I was overwhelmed and I am so grateful and thankful for every one of them,” Ward said.

Harris was grateful for a happy ending.

“There’s a lot of emotion for both parties,” Harris said. “The person is obviously glad they’ve been found but the people who are looking, there is a reward you have completed it. Not all of our searches have a positive end.”

What advice does Ward have for other hikers?

After nearly 72 hours by herself without a phone and only her dog, Ward doesn’t want to relive the experience again.

She said she would not be trying to cut out times on her walks any time soon.

“Don’t try to take a shortcut like I did thinking it was going to be so easy,” Ward said.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Economists foresee labor shortages in construction and agriculture as a result of President Donald ...

Matthew DeWees and Katrina Michalak/Cronkite News

Donald Trump’s mass deportations could mean higher costs and labor shortages in Arizona

Deportations ordered by President Trump could hit Arizona’s agriculture and construction sectors hard, pushing up prices for shoppers.

2 hours ago

Immigration Arizona criminal charges 565 people USAO...

Payne Moses

More than 500 charged with immigration-related crime in Arizona over recent 2-week period

From Jan. 21-Feb. 3, a total of 565 people were charged with illegal immigration activity by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.

5 hours ago

Two Valley freeway ramps will be closed for the next two months....

Kevin Stone

2 Valley on-ramps closing for 2 months as part of freeway improvement projects

A couple of metro Phoenix freeway ramps are closing for the next two months as part of ongoing improvement projects.

8 hours ago

Honeywell Aerospace...

Collin Huguley and Jeff Gifford/Phoenix Business Journal

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace to go its own way amid company split

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace Technologies is going to become a separate entity now that Honeywell International Inc. plans to follow through with a major shake-up.

9 hours ago

fatal shooting southeast Phoenix one man dead...

Payne Moses

Police investigating fatal shooting that left 1 man dead in southeast Phoenix

Phoenix police are investigating a fatal shooting in southeast Phoenix on Friday that left one man dead. The incident is being viewed as an act of self-defense.

17 hours ago

Phoenix woman hit killed by car West Phoenix...

Payne Moses

Woman dead after hit by car while crossing street in west Phoenix

An adult woman was struck and killed by a car on Friday while crossing a street in west Phoenix, authorities said.

18 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

Arizona woman details being missing in forest for 3 days after getting lost on walk