Hiker who survived stranded in the wilderness for two nights in freezing temperatures after breaking her leg is finally rescued when a train passenger spots her lying on a riverbank

By MailOnline Reporter

Published: 19:55 GMT, 17 October 2022 | Updated: 19:55 GMT, 17 October 2022

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A hiker who survived after being stranded in the Colorado wilderness in freezing temperatures for two nights after breaking her leg was finally rescued when a train passenger spotted her lying on a riverbank. The hiker, an unnamed female in her 20s from New Mexico, had been on a day trip to the Deer Park area of the Colorado Trail before she wandered away from the route.

A hiker who survived after being stranded in the Colorado wilderness in freezing temperatures for two nights after breaking her leg was finally rescued when a train passenger spotted her lying on a riverbank. The hiker, an unnamed female in her 20s from New Mexico, had been on a day trip to the Deer Park area of the Colorado Trail before she wandered away from the route.

She was taking pictures when she fell from a cliff face and broke her leg, according to the Office of Emergency Management in San Juan County, Colorado.

She was taking pictures when she fell from a cliff face and broke her leg, according to the Office of Emergency Management in San Juan County, Colorado.

She was taking pictures when she fell from a cliff face and broke her leg, according to the Office of Emergency Management in San Juan County, Colorado.

She was spotted by a passenger on a train going past and was rescued on Monday, October 10 after spending two nights in the wilderness in shorts in 20 degree weather. She was airlifted to Montrose Hospital, where her condition remains unclear.

She was spotted by a passenger on a train going past and was rescued on Monday, October 10 after spending two nights in the wilderness in shorts in 20 degree weather. She was airlifted to Montrose Hospital, where her condition remains unclear.

She was spotted by a passenger on a train going past and was rescued on Monday, October 10 after spending two nights in the wilderness in shorts in 20 degree weather. She was airlifted to Montrose Hospital, where her condition remains unclear.

The hiker was first reported missing by her parents on Saturday. A spokesperson for the Office of Emergency Management hailed the rescue as 'miraculous'. DeAnne Gallegos said: 'It's an amazing feat that she survived two nights in the cold snap we are having. Our team thought that was pretty miraculous.'

The hiker was first reported missing by her parents on Saturday. A spokesperson for the Office of Emergency Management hailed the rescue as 'miraculous'. DeAnne Gallegos said: 'It's an amazing feat that she survived two nights in the cold snap we are having. Our team thought that was pretty miraculous.'

The hiker was first reported missing by her parents on Saturday. A spokesperson for the Office of Emergency Management hailed the rescue as ‘miraculous’. DeAnne Gallegos said: ‘It’s an amazing feat that she survived two nights in the cold snap we are having. Our team thought that was pretty miraculous.’

On her second night outside, the hiker dragged herself to the Animas riverbank where she could be seen from the railway. She flagged down the first train of the day headed to Silverton at 11.38am, south of the Colorado trail intersection, from which she was spotted by a passenger.

On her second night outside, the hiker dragged herself to the Animas riverbank where she could be seen from the railway. She flagged down the first train of the day headed to Silverton at 11.38am, south of the Colorado trail intersection, from which she was spotted by a passenger.

On her second night outside, the hiker dragged herself to the Animas riverbank where she could be seen from the railway. She flagged down the first train of the day headed to Silverton at 11.38am, south of the Colorado trail intersection, from which she was spotted by a passenger.

The passenger alerted train staff, who contacted emergency crews. They used a trolley-like system to transport her to an area where she could be reached by helicopter and she was airlifted to Montrose Hospital.

The passenger alerted train staff, who contacted emergency crews. They used a trolley-like system to transport her to an area where she could be reached by helicopter and she was airlifted to Montrose Hospital.

The passenger alerted train staff, who contacted emergency crews. They used a trolley-like system to transport her to an area where she could be reached by helicopter and she was airlifted to Montrose Hospital.

Kylah and Nick Breeden, who were onboard the train, crossed the Anima River to rescue the woman, and were called 'heroes' by the emergency management team.

Kylah and Nick Breeden, who were onboard the train, crossed the Anima River to rescue the woman, and were called 'heroes' by the emergency management team.

Kylah and Nick Breeden, who were onboard the train, crossed the Anima River to rescue the woman, and were called ‘heroes’ by the emergency management team.

Kylah (pictured), a conductor and fireman on the train, said: 'Her leg was clearly injured and she was really cold. We gave her some blankets and some water.'

Kylah (pictured), a conductor and fireman on the train, said: 'Her leg was clearly injured and she was really cold. We gave her some blankets and some water.'

Kylah (pictured), a conductor and fireman on the train, said: ‘Her leg was clearly injured and she was really cold. We gave her some blankets and some water.’

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