Pamela Helmstadter, a 72-year-old woman, survived four days lost in the woods of Washington County, Maine, after a tragic hiking trip with her husband, John Helmstadter, 82, ended in disaster.
The couple, along with their two dogs, ventured off trail on October 13. Unfortunately, John fell and later died, leaving Pamela to seek help on her own, as they did not have mobile phones.
Despite her efforts, Pamela became disoriented and was unable to find her way back. A concerned neighbour, noticing a package left on the couple's porch and the presence of one of their dogs, reported their absence, prompting a search operation.
Pamela was finally located on Thursday afternoon, suffering from severe hypothermia. Her survival is credited in part to the loyalty of her dog, which protected her by lying on her chest to keep her warm during the cold nights. She was taken to a hospital for treatment and is currently recovering.
This heartbreaking yet heroic story highlights the strong bond between humans and their pets, as Pamela's dog played a crucial role in her survival.
Source:
The Metro