LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Mississippi woman who vanished on a visit to Sequoia National Park in California was spotted by a helicopter rescue crew after she spelled S-O-S with rocks in a wilderness area.
The National Park Service says Mary Joanna Gomez of Jackson was found safe Monday after three days. Officials say the 56-year-old was cold, thirsty and hungry but otherwise in good health.
Gomez released a statement thanking rescuers and saying she was bruised but regaining her strength.
A California Air National Guard aircraft saw the S-O-S and then spotted Gomez off-trail a few miles from where her car was discovered over the weekend.
Gomez, a traveling nurse based in San Francisco, said Thursday she intended to visit Sequoia. She was reported missing on Friday after not showing up for work.
