Before being saved by a courageous rescue, a 65-year-old mushroom picker was left alone in the untamed landscape of Oregon for two nights.#MissingPerson #CoosCountyOR #News
After spending two nights by herself in the untamed woods south of Shore Acres State Park, a 65-year-old Oregon lady was safely rescued on Sunday. Local police conducted a thorough search after Colleen Fiorucci got away from her mushroom-picking party.
Search Efforts Begin
Around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Fiorucci lost contact with her group and was reported missing. Deputies alerted Oregon State Police, and the Coos County Sheriff’s Office promptly started organizing search operations. Because of the difficult terrain, the U.S. Coast Guard was also called in, sending out their specially designed helicopters for these kinds of rescues.
East of the park, on private timber property, a timber deputy joined the Coast Guard in searching areas behind barred gates. But bad weather forced the search to be halted early Saturday morning. Coos County Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, K9 units, and additional ground searchers helped resume the search later that day.
Rescue and Recovery
By Sunday morning, more teams from neighboring counties had joined the search, which was once again underway. Around 12:30 p.m., two seasoned ground searchers, Tim Hawkins and Meredith Childs, found Fiorucci in a dark, dense patch of brush after much searching. Fiorucci was wet, chilly, and exhausted, yet she was generally cheerful. As they waited for a helicopter to come and take her away, Childs and Hawkins hastily built a warming fire to assist her get some warmth back.
After being saved, Fiorucci was lifted aboard a Coast Guard helicopter and taken to a local hospital for treatment and assessment.
Safety Advice from Authorities
For anyone planning to venture into the wilderness, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office posted a reminder: If you intend to venture into the forest, please be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. As you plan your vacation, keep the terrain and weather conditions in mind. Always make sure someone is aware of your plan, dress appropriately for the conditions, and follow it.
RELATED TOPICS: Oregon Missing Persons
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