This photo taken, Saturday, April 9, 2016, and provided by Arizona Department of Public Safety shows an ambulance taking Ann Rodgers, 72 , to safety after she was lost in the forest for nine days. Rodgers got lost in the White Mountains in eastern Arizona after her hybrid car ran out of gas and battery on March 31. Rodgers survived in the forest for nine days by drinking pond water and eating plants. Authorities came across her dog April 9, and a DPS flight crew spotted a âhelpâ signal made of sticks and rocks on the ground. Rodgers had left the area, but she was found on a reservation that’s home to the White Mountain Apache Tribe after starting a signal fire. (Arizona Department of Public Safety via AP)
Tucson, AZ – An Arizona woman lost in the wilderness for nine days says she became desperate but stayed alive because of her survival skills.
Ann Rodgers said Wednesday that she slept in her car the first night and wore several layers of clothing to keep warm. The 72-year-old hiked through the forest for days, leaving notes behind that would help rescuers eventually find her.
She says she survived on plants, pond water and at one point, a turtle. Rodgers says she took a survival course and studied techniques for years.
Rodgers says she was headed from Tucson to Phoenix to visit her grandchildren when she took a wrong turn and ended up in the eastern part of the state. Her car ran out of gas, and she says she left it to look for help.
Rodgers is in good health and even spent Monday hiking.
This aerial photo taken Saturday, April 9, 2016, and provided by Arizona Department of Public Safety shows, a “help” sign made by Ann Rodgers, 72, in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. Rodgers got lost after her hybrid car ran out of gas and battery on March 31. She survived in the forest for nine days by drinking pond water and eating plants. Authorities came across her dog April 9, and a DPS flight crew spotted a âhelpâ signal made of sticks and rocks on the ground. Rodgers had left the area, but she was found on a reservation that’s home to the White Mountain Apache Tribe after starting a signal fire. (Arizona Department of Public Safety via AP)
