Second older woman this week rescued from remote Arizona desert
PHOENIX — For the second time this week, a woman has been rescued from a remote desert in Arizona, the state Department of Public Safety said in a release.
The 87-year-old woman, who has not been publicly identified, was reported missing Sunday near Mud Mountain, about 10 miles east of the Arizona-Nevada border.
She was not located until Tuesday. DPS said her vehicle became trapped in the mud and she tried to make it to safety on foot. She was found about 10 miles from her car.
Agents were able to track her for a short time, but the search was expanded after it was found the woman had wandered into open desert.
The woman was located by a helicopter. She was able to wave one arm when the pilot passed by, but was unable to sit up without help.
The woman was suffering from a lack of food and water, along with exposure, and was transported to the hospital. DPS described her as “near to her death.”
Another woman, 72-year-old Ann Rodgers, was rescued in eastern Arizona on Saturday. A helicopter pilot — the same that spotted the 87-year-old — found Rodgers’ help sign in the desert.
Rodgers and her dog were both in fair condition.
DPS said Rodgers was driving to visit her grandchildren when she ran out of gas.
