A California woman who went missing in Zion National Park earlier this month and was found alive on Sunday had become injured while hiking in the Utah park, her daughter said.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Holly Suzanne Courtier, 38, was found safely on Sunday, nearly two weeks after she was last seen on October 6. She had taken a shuttle bus into the park that day and did not appear for the return trip, launching a massive search that appears to have been largely focused on the park itself.
A witness who was aware of the search reportedly contacted authorities after the missing woman. Authorities have provided few details about the circumstances of Courtier’s rescue or her condition when she was found.
“She injured her head on a tree,” Kailey Chambers told CNN via text message. “She was very disoriented as a result and thankfully ended up near a water source — a river bed. She thought her best chance of survival was to stay next to a water source.”
Courier did not have access to food during the time she was missing, her daughter said.
“She was unable to take more than a step or two without collapsing. This prevented her from being able to seek out help. She told me she was so dehydrated she couldn’t open her mouth.”
A family friend reportedly told CNN that Courtier spent Sunday night at hospital in Utah. It is unclear how Courtier was transported to the hospital, as a statement from park officials indicated that she was immediately reunited with her family and left the national park with them.
“She is in good spirits and very thankful for everyone who searched for her, especially the people who found her today and the rangers that rescued her,” the family friend said on Sunday, according to CNN.
“My mom’s recovery is my top priority right now,” Chambers told the news station. “We will continue to focus on her health and will update everyone when possible.”
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