Mom and Son Who Were Stranded in Calif. Forest Found Alive Thanks to Handwritten Note

Mom and son stranded in forest found alive thanks to a handwritten note were rescued after getting lost in a California forest when they left handwritten notes about their whereabouts, according to a local sheriff’s office. The duo got lost after the GPS unit they were using lost its signal, and the mom was “unable to retrace their route,” authorities said. Authorities mentioned that the mom’s decision to inform family members about their travel plans played a crucial role in her and her son’s rescue.

A 49-year-old mum and her 9-year-old son were found on July 12, the same day they were reported “overdue.” The pair’s situation came to light when the Calaveras County Dispatch Center received a report that they were “overdue and not answering their cellular phones.” The reporting party informed that the duo left the Sacramento area on Friday, July 11, and were headed to Camp Wolfeboro in the upper Highway 4 area. A location-sharing application previously used by one of the missing individuals proved instrumental in providing a location for them.

During the search, a deputy and a Forest Service Law Enforcement Ranger responded to a 911 text from campers in the area and reported observing a vehicle matching the description of the missing persons. Subsequently, a search and rescue team found a handwritten note posted at an intersection of a remote Forest Service Road, reading, “HELP me and my son are stranded with no service and can’t call 911. We are ahead, up the road to the right. Please call 911 to get help for us. Thank you!”

Another note found, which included additional information, a telephone number, and the names of the missing individuals, led the search team to locate the mum and son about a mile away. The duo was found in an isolated location, making it challenging for rescuers to communicate their discovery. The search team utilised a HAM radio for communication, eventually reaching the command post through the intervention of a retired El Dorado County Communications Supervisor.

Following the successful rescue, the search team brought the mother and son back to the command post, where their relieved family members were waiting for them. Authorities determined that the mother had been using a GPS unit that lost its signal, impeding their ability to retrace their route. The quick thinking of the 9-year-old boy, who used his whistle to deploy an international signal for help, also contributed to their rescue.

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) acknowledged the vital role played by the mother’s decision to inform family members about their travel plans, reinforcing the importance of preparedness and communication during outdoor excursions. The heartwarming rescue serves as a reminder of the resilience and resourcefulness displayed by the mother and son in a perilous situation, highlighting the significance of basic survival skills in unforeseen circumstances.