Hiker lost in dense Florida woods is rescued after helicopter search crew spots her iPhone flashlight with night vision camera
- Libia Marsack was trekking through New Tampa Nature Park on Sunday and lost her way, eventually wandering into the neighboring Flatwoods Wilderness Park
- She called 911 when the sun began to set, leaving her in darkness
- The Hillsboro County Sheriff’s Office sent a helicopter to search for Marsack
- Night vision infrared technology identified her cell phone light in the woods
- The rescue team relayed Marsack’s coordinates to a ranger who picked her up
A hiker who got lost in the Florida woods was rescued after a helicopter search crew spotted her iPhone flashlight.
Libia Marsack was trekking through New Tampa Nature Park in Thonotosassa on Sunday and lost her way, eventually wandering into the neighboring Flatwoods Wilderness Park.
She called 911 when the sun began to set, leaving her in darkness.
The Hillsboro County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit sent a helicopter to search for Marsack using night vision infrared technology.
They released a black and white video which shows the moment they spotted a light on her cell phone.
Libia Marsack got lost while hiking in Flatwoods Wilderness Park in Thonotosassa, Florida, on Sunday. She was rescued after a helicopter search crew spotted her iPhone flashlight
The Hillsboro County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit released a black and white video which shows the moment they spotted a light on Marsack’s cell phone using night vision infrared technology
The rescue team relayed Marsack’s coordinates to a park ranger who picked her up in an ATV
Marsack began her hike in New Tampa Nature Park and somehow wandered into the neighboring Flatwoods Wilderness Park, as seen on the map above
The rescue team relayed Marsack’s coordinates to a park ranger who picked her up in an ATV minutes later.
‘Rescues like this are one of the many benefits of having an expansive, well-trained Aviation Unit,’ Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement along with the video.
‘Our team of deputies who fly our helicopters are constantly working from the air to assist in both rescues and arrests.
‘I couldn’t be more proud of the work they put in everyday to keep the citizens of Hillsborough County safe.’
Marsack also praised the rescue team for bringing her back safe and uninjured.
‘I just want to thank them because I know we are in the holiday season and they had to take time out being away from their families to come do this type of work,’ she told WFTS.
Marsack said she takes daily hikes in the nature park while caring for her husband, who is undergoing cancer treatments at the nearby Moffitt Cancer Center.
She said she will continue her ritual even after Sunday’s ordeal, but next time, she’ll take a map.
Marsack said she takes daily hikes in the nature park while caring for her husband (above together), who is undergoing cancer treatments at the nearby Moffitt Cancer Center