‘Miracle story’: Missing woman found clinging to tree

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - The Reno Fire Department released new details Tuesday after a missing and endangered woman was found stranded on a steep slope near Caughlin Ranch Monday night.

Gayle Stewart had been missing since 10 a.m. on February 14, 2022.

Her family organized a search party for her, and a friend of her son found her 300 to 400 feet off a road clinging to a tree in a steep area.

“Actually kind of a miracle story,” said Battalion Chief for the Reno Fire Department, Seth Williams. “The son called up some friends to start searching for her and one of the boys just decided to head off this cliff thinking maybe she fell down there and found her clinging to a tree. He said the last thing she said was ‘help’ and then didn’t talk anymore.“

A rescue team of about 28 people arrived by about 9:15 p.m. and used a rope system to pull Stewart to safety within 30 minutes.

“That’s what I told the young man that found her, I said that’s truly a lifesaver. With the rain and the snow coming tonight she’s already been exposed for the better part of 12 hours. It could have been a very different outcome had he not found her when he did,” said Williams.

Stewart was taken to a warm ambulance and later taken to an area hospital for treatment.

She is expected to make a full recovery.

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