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Woman found 6 days after crash in Arizona, DPS says

Posted at 11:06 AM, Oct 31, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-31 18:13:23-04

WICKENBURG, AZ - A woman was found nearly a week after crashing her car near Wickenburg, Arizona earlier this month, officials say.

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, a 53-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle along US-60 near milepost 117 on October 12. 

Her vehicle reportedly went through a fence, dropped 50 feet and landed in a mesquite tree, suspended over the ground. 

Six days later, an ADOT worker and rancher noticed the broken fence while trying to corral a cow, and saw the vehicle lodged in the tree. 

Emergency crews went to the scene and found the vehicle empty. Human tracks from the car led officials toward the Hassayampa riverbed where, 500 yards down, a severely dehydrated woman was found with serious injuries. 

She told officials that she stayed in the car for several days before climbing out and went toward the railroad tracks hoping someone would find her, however, she didn’t make it that far due to her injuries.      

A medical helicopter was called and took her to the hospital for treatment.

Officials did not go into further detail about the woman's injuries or the cause of the crash. 

“The diligence of the ADOT crew and teamwork of everyone involved is exemplary and to be commended. Due to their outstanding efforts, this woman’s life was saved," DPS Director Colonel Frank Milstead said in a media release.